Leadership Matters - June 2013

Getting to know your IASA Board Members

Favorite musical artist: Michael Buble

Dr. Thomas Bertrand Abe Lincoln

One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: I became a high school principal at age 26. Biggest concern about public education: Where will the next generation of educators and

School district: Rochester Community Unit 3A One thing you would like people to know about your school district: We have nearly as many students with Springfield zip codes as Rochester. Years on IASA Board: 3 Years as educator: 28 High school: Quincy Notre Dame Colleges or Universities: Quincy College, Western Illinois University, Illinois State University Family : Celebrating my 27th wedding anniversary this year with my wife, Michelle. Three children: Nathan (25), Erica (21), and Connor (14) Favorite hobby: Reading, Bicycling Favorite movie: Forrest Gump ; I have seen it dozens of times, but I can’t turn the channel whenever it is on. Favorite book: Too many to pick one: most recently, 18 Minutes: Finding your Focus

Favorite hobby: Music, Reading Favorite movie: The Godfather I & II Favorite book: Impossible to name a favorite book although I really like Ishmael (Daniel Quinn) Favorite musical artist: Beatles One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: I dropped out of college after my sophomore year to hitchhike through Europe. Biggest concern about public education: Public education is in danger of becoming irrelevant as more choices present themselves for people of means to access education, leaving only the people without means as our main constituency. This erodes public support and in turn damages all of society as we become even more of a state of haves and have-nots. The recent trend of prorating General State Aid, which has a disproportionate impact on poor students, and the lack of public outcry about this despicable practice, offends me and causes me to worry about our future. Most encouraging thing about public education: We have some great people in leadership positions (superintendents, principals, teachers, professional organizations) fighting to restore education to the prominence that it deserves. school leaders come from? With changes in certification and licensure, internships, new evaluations linked to student outcomes, rogue school board members, increasing mandates, and the possibility of caps on salaries and credible earnings and pensions, what incentive is there for the best teachers and administrators to remain in the profession? Most encouraging thing about public education: Public schools are a reflection of our society. Public schools accept every child. I am amazed at the number of talented educators who are working with our children and accepting of them regardless of ability and background.

Daniel Marenda Starved Rock School district: LaSalle Elementary School District 122 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: Despite our

80% low income students, LaSalle Elementary School offers a first-rate education including a 1:1 iPad (24/7) program in our Junior High. Years on IASA Board: 1 Years as educator: 35 High school: St. Bede Academy Colleges or Universities: Illinois Valley Community College, Illinois State University (B.S., M.S. Superintendent Endorsement) Western Illinois University (ABD procrastinating. Hope to finish someday…) Family : Married to my wife Donna for 39 years. Son Daniel R. Marenda, Ph.D. and daughter-in law Kirsten live in Philadelphia with their three sons; Daughter Madonna and son-in-law Chris Duncan live in LaSalle with their son and daughter.

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