At the December 11th Unit 4 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved two administrative appointments.
Ms. Teresa Blanden was approved as the Director of Kids Plus. She began her career in education in May 1993, when she joined Danville Area Community College (DACC) in Danville, IL as an Assistant Coordinator for the Opportunities Program. In January 1995, she accepted the position of Director of Project Excel at DACC. Beginning February 2001, Ms. Blanden joined the Principal’s Scholars Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign and has served the program for the past 22 years. During this time, she has worked as the Assistant to the Director, Assistant Director, and most recently as the Associate Director. Ms. Blanden will leave this position to join Unit 4 as the Director of Kids Plus.
Ms. Blanden holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Business Information Systems from Illinois State University, and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. She has also earned an Organizational Leadership Certificate from Illinois State University. Ms. Blanden will complete her Leading for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Higher Education Certificate in December 2023 at the University of Michigan. She will begin her new role December 18, 2023.
Mr. Anthony (Tony) Ewald was approved as the Assistant Director of Food Service. After working in food service during his time in college at the University of Illinois, Mr. Ewald began his professional career as Owner/Operator of Fusilli Tony’s Italian Food in Champaign, IL from August 2012-August 2021. In November 2020, he joined Busy Bulldogs Preschool in Mahomet, IL as the Food Service Manager. He will leave this position to become the Assistant Director of Food Service.
Mr. Ewald holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He will begin his new role January 2, 2024.