At last evening's Unit 4 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved six administrative appointments.
Mr. Alek Mann was appointed as the Assistant Principal at Westview Elementary. He began his career in education in August 2012, when he joined Urbana School District #116 as a Band/Choir Teacher at Urbana Middle School. After two years in that role, he took a short break from teaching. In August 2017, Mr. Mann returned as a Music Teacher with Mattoon School District #2, a position he has held for the past seven years. He will leave this position to join Unit 4 in his first school administrator role as Assistant Principal at Westview Elementary beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
Mr. Mann holds a Bachelor of Music Education (2012) and a Master of Education in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership (2021), both from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Mr. Jeremy Dassow was appointed as the Bilingual (Spanish-English) K-8 Dean of Students at International Prep Academy. He began his career in education in September 2010, when he joined Rantoul City Schools #137 as a Music Teacher at Broadmeadow Elementary School. In August 2011, Mr. Dassow began working at St. Joseph School District #169, and served there for 12 years. During this time, he worked as a Math Teacher and Music Teacher, both at St. Joseph Middle School. He joined Unit 4 Schools in August 2023 when he became a 5th Grade Teacher at International Prep Academy. He will accept his first school administrator role as Bilingual Dean of Students at International Prep Academy beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
Mr. Dassow holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (2010) and a Master of Music Education (2015) from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is currently enrolled in the UIUC graduate program and anticipates completing his Master of Education in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership in May 2025.
Ms. Meghan Siwecki was appointed as the High School Associate Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Centennial High School. 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 an 8th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher, Science Teacher, and AVID Teacher. Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, Ms. Siwecki joined Unit 4 Schools as a 7th Grade English Language Arts (Reading) and AVID Teacher at Jefferson Middle School. She coached Jefferson’s Scholastic Bowl Team for three seasons (2016-2019) and served as Jefferson’s Athletic Director (which was previously a differential). For the 2023-2024 school year, Ms. Siwecki transitioned to her current role as Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Jefferson. She will leave this position to join Centennial in July 2024.
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 as a Reading Specialist (2018) from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. She anticipates completion of her Master of Education in Educational Leadership in November 2024 from the American College of Education.
Mr. Patrick Cox was appointed as the High School Athletic Director/Assistant Principal at Central High School. He began his career in education in August 1997, when he became a Physical Education Teacher at Mechanics Grove Elementary School in Mundelein, IL. In the 2001-2002 school year, he joined Niles North High School in Skokie, IL as a Physical Education and Driver Education Teacher, a position he held for nine years. After a short hiatus from teaching, Mr. Cox returned as a Physical Education Teacher at Nicholson STEM Academy in Chicago, IL in August 2012. After two years in that role, he joined Curie High School in Chicago, IL as a Physical Education Teacher (2014-2019) and Athletic Director (2015-2019). Mr. Cox is currently a Physical Education Teacher at Learn 6 Charter School in North Chicago, IL. He will leave this position to join Unit 4 Schools.
Mr. Cox also has extensive coaching experience, serving as Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Track Coach at Mundelein High School (1999-2001), Head Girls’ Track Coach at Niles North High School (2001-2005), Football Coach at Niles North High School (2001-2010), Head Football Coach and Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Nicholson STEM Academy (2012-2013), and Varsity Football Coach at Curie High School (2014-2016).
Mr. Cox holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, with a minor in Sociology, from DePaul University (1997), and a Driver Education endorsement from Chicago State University (2001). He also holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Concordia University (2007). The effective date of this appointment is July 1, 2024.
Ms. Jacquelyn (Jackie) Teague was approved as the principal of Booker T. Washington STEM Academy. She began her career in education in July 2013, when she joined Unit 4 Schools as a Special Education Teacher assigned to Barkstall Elementary School. After seven years, she began her first school administrator role as an Assistant Principal at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy. In May 2024, she transitioned to Acting Principal.
Ms. Teague holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2003) and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning with Principal Licensure from Colorado State University-Global (2019). She earned her teaching certification with a Learning Behavior Specialist I Endorsement from Eastern Illinois University (2013). Ms. Teague is currently enrolled at the Illinois State University doctoral program in Special Education and anticipates completion of her doctorate in May 2027.
Ms. Esther Ferguson was appointed as the principal of Barkstall Elementary School. She began her career in education in August 1999 as a Middle School Science Teacher at Franklin Middle School here in Champaign. Relocating to Marblehead, MA in August 2000, she joined Cohen Hillel Academy. During her three years with Cohen Hillel Academy, she served as a Science Teacher and Science and Computer Science Coordinator. During the 2003-2004 school year, Ms. Ferguson served as a 5th Grade Teacher at Evansville Day School in Evansville, IN. From 2004-2018, she was employed with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Champaign, IL as a Development Specialist. In 2018 Esther joined Uncharted International in Evansville, IN as Director of Engagement. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, she became a 5th Grade Teacher at Tekoppel Elementary School in Evansville, IN. After two years in that role, Ms. Ferguson joined Thompkins Middle School in Evansville, IN as a Middle School Mentor Teacher. In July 2023, she rejoined Unit 4 Schools as an Assistant Principal/Summer School Principal at Garden Hills Academy. She will leave this position to become the new Principal at Barkstall Elementary School.
Ms. Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with a minor in Middle School Education, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1999) and a Master of Education in School Leadership from Bethel University (2022).
Congratulations!