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Schmidt ... cont’d. Schmidt’s passion for fostering ongoing professional development led her to serve as the Professional Development Chair in Lake County and later as the IASA Professional Development Committee Chair and IASA Board of Directors. “Being part of IASA allowed me to better understand the challenges school leaders across our state are facing,” she says. The Professional Development Committee is working with IASA Associate Director of Professional Development, Dr. Courtney Orzel on how IASA can better support the evolving needs of school leaders. In addition, Schmidt is known as an advocate of professional learning communities practices (PLC) as a school improvement model and has worked with other districts across the country on how to grow and expand PLC’s. “High levels of learning for kids always happens best when there are high levels of learning for adults,” Schmidt says. “It is critically important for a superintendent to support and deeply understand the professional learning needs their staff has.”

Ross ... cont’d.

manufacturers and small businesses. In the 11th grade, juniors take a semester-long course on career exploration. “We talk about the soft skills, hone in on responsibility, appearance, work ethics, how to survive in any setting,” Ross says. “There is also job shadowing and community service.” Many seniors at Marshall also have opportunities for paid and unpaid apprenticeships. Marshall is also part of the Edgar and Clark County Career Exploration and Leadership (ECCEL) Academy, which provides students another avenue to explore career options and earn credentials. “We want all kids to find a path,” Ross says. “For some that is college, some it’s the workforce or some it’s the military. Our other goal is to get students exposed to all the opportunities we have in the community and region because we want them to stay and see different universities and colleges and have experiences with community leaders so they get that connection and come back to live in Marshall or Wabash Valley.”

Successes and Challenges For Districts Across Illinois In This Unprecedented Year

Don’t miss our latest multi-part podcast, Fully Open In The Suburbs. Our guest for Part 1 is Dr. Mary Henderson, superintendent of Roselle SD #12 Click on the podcast icon below to listen.

7 LM October 2020