Leadership Matters Summer 2015

Getting to know your IASA Membership and Communications Committee Members

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans Favorite book: Lincoln on Leadership Favorite musical artist : Johnny Cash One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: I have an

Joe Burgess Kishwaukee Region School district: Genoa-Kingston CUSD 424 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: Being a “Cog” means having pride in all that you do. Years as educator: 32 High school: Knoxville High School “Home of the Blue Bullets” Colleges or Universities: Monmouth College, Western Illinois University, Illinois State University Family: Wife of 32 years– Kathy, sons-Joe III (wife Corey & Granddaughter - Brylee) and Michael, Daughter-Amie Favorite hobby: Outdoor activities: hiking, hunting or gardening.

Favorite musical artist: As a young man my favorite groups were The Beatles, Yes, Alan Parson’s Project, Beach Boys, Jethro Tull, etc. Today, I like Pharrell Williams (maker of the song “Happy”). One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: Neither of my parents graduated from high school. Biggest concern about public education: The attack of public schools from special interest groups (business people, politicians, and the media). Truly, our teachers today have a greater understanding and are far better skilled to assist learning (children) than ever before. There is as much or more evidenced based data and research to help us understand how and why children (people) think and learn than any other scientific field (including medicine). Unfortunately, I fear due to the mandates that teachers “feel” so much pressure, that it is easy for them to “forget” to enjoy their experience with the young people they serve. I do believe that “Public Education” is the one place where all children have a chance to succeed, but it is unrealistic to believe it is the cure for all of society’s ills. Most encouraging thing about public education: It is stated above. Today, teachers are far better skilled at the science of teaching and learning. My fear relates to a quote that was written on the front of my employee folder my very first year teaching. It said, “They may not remember everything we taught them, but they will surely remember how we treated them!” extensive background in construction and carpentry. Biggest concern about public education: The unrelenting list of mandates from legislation that negatively impacts student learning and undercuts our educators. Most encouraging thing about public education: Our students, they are why we do what we do each day!

Al Gegenheimer Three Rivers Region

School district: Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: We have been honored as a “Bright Star Award” winning district. This prestigious award goes to districts whose students

score in the top 1/3 of their state, yet spend in the bottom 1/4. Less than 10 percent of the schools in

the nation receive this award. Years as educator: 32 years

High school: Minooka Community High School Colleges or Universities: University of St. Francis, Governor’s State, & Illinois State Family : Wife, Pam, and three adult children: Allison, Amelia, and Russell. Favorite hobby : Golf, bicycling, my family, and entertaining our granddaughter! Favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life ! Favorite book: As a child Johnny Tremain by Ester Forbes. A more recent favorite is the entire Harry Potter series.

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