LM October 2020_lg

Education Elevat g We continue our series highlighting tremendous educators across Illinois who have given their time and energy to elevating the superintendency and public education as a whole. Each month, we will feature two educators who are going the extra mile and truly making a difference beyond their school districts and local communities. While we are aware of many of the contributions administrators are making, we are open to any suggestions for someone to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Social Media and Publications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Julie Schmidt Kildeer Countryside CCSD#96 KevinRoss Marshal CUSD#2C

Who: Kevin Ross, superintendent What: Leader in developing a career education model for students Where: Marshall CUSD #2C, Wabash Valley When: Superintendent at Marshall CUSD #2C for eight years Why: The goal at Marshall CUSD #2C is for every student to leave with a Plan

Who: Julie Schmidt, superintendent What: Vision 20/20 Representative; IASA Board of Directors; IASA Professional Development Committee Chairperson; Advocate of Professional Learning Communities Where: Kildeer Countryside CCSD #96, Lake Region When: Superintendent at Kildeer

Countryside CCSD #96 for 12 years Why: A deep belief in ongoing professional learning for adults has driven Julie Schmidt both inside and outside of Kildeer Countryside CCSD #96. In 2012, Schmidt was named the Lake County representative to Vision 20/20 and was later appointed to a subgroup that focused on establishing an accountability framework in Illinois. The subgroup met for nearly 18 months and made numerous recommendations, including a weighted accountability system, the Quality Framework and Illinois Empower system. “When schools were identified as needing additional support, we did not want the only kind of support to be through private consulting,” Schmidt said of Illinois Empower. “There is a lot of talent in Illinois, and we wanted current practitioners to be part of the Illinois Empower system to allow schools to learn from each other.”

A and Plan B for life after high school. “We embed this idea exploration mindset in them young and hone in on it so when they leave us they know where they want to be, what they want to do and how they can get there,” says Superintendent Kevin Ross. Marshall CUSD #2C has become a leader in the area of career education and Ross has tried to help other districts launch and expand their programs. The key at Marshall is career education begins early on and continues throughout each step of a student’s education. “We start young and work with the University of Illinois extension and have business leaders and community members come in and do career exploration and entrepreneurship lessons at each grade level,” Ross says. The district also offers eighth graders a nine-week, career exploration course that includes visits to colleges,

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LM October 2020