The Unit 4 Board of Education approved 11 administrative appointments during its meeting this evening.
Ms. Jennifer Tee was selected as the principal of Robeson Elementary School. She began her teaching career when she joined Unit 4 Schools in January 1994, and has served the District for 27 years since that time. She has also worked as a Kindergarten Teacher, 1st Grade Teacher, 2nd Grade Teacher, 2nd Grade Gifted Teacher, Instructional Coach, Reading Recovery Teacher, and RtI Interventionist at Carrie Busey Elementary, Kenwood Elementary, and Robeson Elementary. Jennifer is currently the Assistant Principal at Kenwood Elementary. She will leave this position to join Robeson Elementary.
Ms. Tee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (1993) and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership (2022), both from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.
Mr. Kyle Freeman was selected as the principal of Jefferson Middle School. He began his career in education August 2011, when he joined Unit 4 Schools as a Science and AVID Teacher at Edison Middle School. After seven years in that role, in August 2018, he accepted his first role as a school administrator when he became Dean of Students at Edison Middle School. Kyle is currently the Associate Principal at Edison Middle School, and has served in this capacity for the last four years. He will leave this position to become Principal of Jefferson.
Mr. Freeman holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications (2008) and a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education (2011), both from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. He also earned a Master of Science in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership (2017) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Ms. Nancy Whitehouse was selected as the Assistant Director of Human Resources and Employee Engagement. She joined Unit 4 Schools in April 2011 as a Substitute Coordinator/Secretary. After six years in that role, she accepted a position as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant. She will leave this position to become the Assistant Director of Human Resources and Employee Engagement.
Prior to joining Unit 4, Nancy was employed as a Leasing Agent with The Atkins Group, Designer/Owner of White Designs Jewelry, Bridal Consultant at Michelle’s Bridal Shoppe, Administrative Assistant and (Assistant Director 2001-2002) at Ameriserve, Inc.
Dr. Mykah Jackson was selected as the Director of College and Career Readiness. She began her career in education in August 2007, when she joined Unit 4 Schools as a Social Science Teacher at Franklin Middle School. In August 2014, she accepted her first role as a school administrator when she became the Assistant Principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Mykah joined Urbana School District #116 in 2018 as an Assistant Principal, a position she held for two years. In July 2020, she accepted the position of Principal at Yankee Ridge Elementary School. Dr. Jackson will leave this position to rejoin Unit 4 Schools as the Director of College and Career Readiness.
Dr. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts in History (2007) from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, a Master of Education in Education Policy Studies (2010), and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Policy Studies (2018), both from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She has also earned her General Administration Certification (2013) and a Certificate of Advanced Study (2020), both from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Ms. Meghan Siwecki was selected as the Dean of Students/Athletic Director. She began her career in education in August 2009 when she joined Danville District 118 in Danville, IL. During her six years with Danville, she worked as a 8th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher, Science Teacher, and AVID Teacher. In 2015, Meghan joined Unit 4 Schools as a 7th Grade English Language Arts (Reading) and AVID Teacher at Jefferson Middle School. Ms. Siwecki coached Jefferson’s Scholastic Bowl Team for 3 seasons (2016-2019) and currently serves as Jefferson’s Athletic Director (which has been a differential).
Ms. Siwecki holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in English (2009) from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, and a Master of Education in Reading Specialist (2018) from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL.
Ms. Lindsay Greenwood was selected as the Dean of Students/Athletics Director of Franklin STEAM Academy. She began her career in education in August 2003 when she was 5th Grade Teacher at Atwood-Hammond School District. In August 2004, she joined Villa Grove School District #302 in Villa Grove, IL, as a 5th Grade Teacher. After eight years with Villa Grove, in August 2011, she joined Tolono CUSD #7 in Tolono, IL. During her time in Tolono, she worked as a 5th Grade Teacher and an 8th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher. In January 2021, Lindsay joined Unit 4 Schools as a 7th Grade English Language Arts (Writing) Teacher at Franklin STEAM Academy.
Lindsay has other related experience as Assistant Basketball Coach at Villa Grove Junior High (2003-2004), Girls’ Track Head Coach at Villa Grove High School (2004-2011), and 8th Grade Head Volleyball Coach and 7th Grade Assistant Volleyball Coach at Unity Junior High School (2011-2013), as well as her personal athletic participation in Basketball, Golf, Kayaking, Softball, Track, and Volleyball.
Ms. Greenwood holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (2002), Master of Education in Educational Administration (2006), and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership (2014), all from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. She is currently enrolled at the McKendree University doctoral program in Curriculum Design and Instruction.
Mr. Kevin Murray was selected as the Assistant Principal of Kenwood Elementary. Mr. Murray began his teaching career in August 2017, when he accepted the position of 2nd Grade Teacher with BridgePrep Academy in North Miami Beach, Florida. He has served in this capacity for six years. During this time, he also served as Grade Level Leader, PMI Testing Coordinator, and led the PBIS and Literacy committees. Kevin will leave this position to join Unit 4 Schools as Assistant Principal at Kenwood Elementary.
Mr. Murray holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (2016) and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership (2022), both from Grand Canyon University.
Dr. Montia Gardner was selected Associate Principal at Central High School. She began her career in education in 2003 when she joined O.W. Huth Middle School in Matteson, IL where she held positions as a Theatre/Communication Arts Teacher, English Teacher, and Social Studies Teacher. In 2006, Dr. Gardner accepted a position as a 9th/10th Grade English and Social Science Teacher at Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary, IN. In 2008, she rejoined O.W. Huth Middle School as a Middle School English and Social Science Facilitator, a position she held for six years. In 2014, Dr. Gardner accepted a 9th Grade English position at Calumet New Tech High School (Turn-Around Program) in Gary, IN. After relocating to Baltimore, MD in 2016, she joined the University of Maryland-Baltimore County as an Adjunct Professor in Education. In 2020, she also joined Community Colleges of Baltimore County as an Adjunct Professor. In 2021, Montia served as the Vice President of Education at Northside Achievement Zone in Minneapolis, MN. In February 2022, she joined Unit 4 as an Assistant Principal of Central High. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, Montia’s role as Assistant Principal transitioned from 10 months to 12 months and she became the Summer School Principal. She will now become the Associate Principal at Central High School.
Montia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from DePaul University (2003). She earned her Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago (2009). Dr. Gardner earned a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture from University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD (2021).
Mr. Ryan Krows was selected as the Associate Principal/Summer School Principal at Central High School. Mr. Krows began his teaching career when he joined Unit 4 Schools in August 2003 as an English Teacher assigned to Central High. He served in this capacity for 19 years. During this time, he also served as Building Literacy Coordinator, Teacher Representative for District Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Team, and English Department Chair. In 2022, Ryan accepted the position of Assistant Principal at Central High School. He will now become Associate Principal/Summer School Principal at Central High School.
Mr. Krows holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, with a minor in Secondary Education (2003), a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (2009), and a Masters of Education in Educational Administration and Principal Licensure (2022), all from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Sara Sanders was selected to serve as the Principal of Centennial High School. Ms. Sanders began her career in education when she joined Unit 4 Schools in August 2004 as an English Language Arts Teacher at Franklin Middle School (now Franklin STEAM Academy). In August 2008, she accepted her first role as a school administrator at Franklin, and has served in an administrative capacity for the past 15 years. During this time, Sara has been Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, and since 2013, Principal. Ms. Sanders will leave this position to become the new Principal of Centennial High School.
Sara earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Teacher Education (2004) from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. She also holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration (2007) from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.
David Mast was selected as the principal of Franklin STEAM Academy. Mr. Mast began his career in education when he joined Unit 4 Schools in August 2004 as a 6th Grade Science Teacher at Franklin STEAM Academy. After nine years in that role, he began his administrative career when he accepted the position of Associate Principal at Franklin STEAM Academy in 2013. He will now transition to his new role as Principal of Franklin STEAM Academy.
Mr. Mast holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Middle School Education (2003) and a Master of Science in Educational Administration (2011), both from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.