Leadership Matters - May 2013

Getting to know your IASA Board Members

of great friends and family members. Favorite hobby: Horseback riding, writing, entertaining, travel and piano Favorite movie: JAWS! Favorite book: The Bible Favorite musical artist: Kenny Loggins, Heather Hedley, Britt Nicole

Dr. Catherine Finger Lake School district: Grayslake Community High School District 127 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: We have an amazing school community full of high-quality teachers, talented students, and supportive parents and community members. Our staff members get to know our students as individuals AND prepare them for success in life after high school. I feel lucky every day! Years on IASA Board: 1 Years as educator: 29 1/2 High school: Baraboo High School, Baraboo, Wisconsin Colleges or Universities: Doctoral degree in Instructional Leadership awarded in 1994, from National-Louis University (Illinois). Master’s degree in Spanish Literature awarded in 1988, from University of Northern Iowa. Bachelor of Arts degree awarded in 1983, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Family : In addition to happily living with Miss Christie, my YorkiePoo and having Scooter, my quarter horse gelding, just 10 minutes away, I am blessed with lots

sons Benjamin and wife Veronica with grandson Isaiah, Samuel, Joseph and wife Rowena. Favorite hobby: Camping and Grilling Favorite movie: Captain Ron Favorite book: The Bible Favorite musical artist: Carol King One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: Worked as a maintenance welder for 10 years at the largest surface coal mine east of the Mississippi River. Biggest concern about public education: School districts follow and are a reflection of their communities. Local economic concerns in many regions of Illinois and increasing pressures from government entities and reform groups that are far removed from school communities make it increasingly difficult to provide high quality programs for all Illinois’ students. Most encouraging thing about public education: On a regular basis I continue to observe teachers, support personnel, principals, superintendents, school board members, and professional organizations that believe in the importance and power of public education. During these difficult times, folks in public education are providing some of their finest work. One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: I work with the “twenty-somethings” in my church and am also a strong supporter of our new Teen Moms ministry. Biggest concern about public education: My dual concerns would be: 1) the increased tendency to scapegoat public education/educators, and the push for “reform” from uninformed external advocates, 2) the increasing gap between the haves and have-nots in every area of society that education is not addressing quickly enough. Most encouraging thing about public education: The passion and the joy inherent in working with young people (students and teachers!) and experiencing the joy of discovery with them daily.

Dr. Jo R. Campbell Western School district: La Harpe Community School District 347 and Dallas Elementary School District 327 One thing you would like people to know about your

school district: Both districts were part of the only Unit District Conversion to occur in Illinois, creating a new high school district and three elementary districts from three dissolved unit school districts. This reorganization option expanded the capacity required to support a high performing high school, while maintaining local control at the elementary school level to support quality educational programs in the local communities. High school: Pinckneyville Community High School Colleges or Universities: Bachelors’ degrees earned at Greenville College 1970, Masters 1992 and PhD 2008 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Family: Married to Becky for 42 years, daughter Elizabeth Erinn with granddaughters Alyssa and Lily, Years on IASA Board: 3 Years as educator: 33

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