Leadership Matters Summer 2015

Westerhold becomes president of IASA Des Plaines superintendent takes reins of statewide association

Technology Board.

The superintendent of Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62 is the new president of the statewide

Westerhold is a graduate of Staunton High School and attained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Southern Illinois University and her Doctor of Education Degree from Loyola University in Chicago. She served as a teacher, principal, director of curriculum and instruction and assistant superintendent in various school districts before being named superintendent in Des Plaines in 2005. In addition to being named Illinois Superintendent of the Year, other honors for Westerhold include the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) “Those Who Excel” Award, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Community Enhancement Award, the Illinois National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA) Distinguished Service Award, and the District 62 Lighthouse Award. This year she was named winner of the Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) Nelson Gray Presidential Award. Des Plaines School Board President Stephanie Duckmann called Westerhold “a leader not just in our district, but also in the community and state level.” “Jane is relentless in making sure our students will be successful in the 21 st century and in achieving academic growth every day,” said Duckmann. “Her leadership has propelled our district forward. We accomplished a major renovation of our eleven schools, increased technology and improved test scores in the eleven years of her tenure.” Westerhold said that she looks forward to working with her colleagues from throughout the state to meet the tough challenges facing public education. “Superintendents are facing some of the most tumultuous times in recent history. Horace Mann stated in 1846 that education is the great equalizer of the conditions of men. As the poverty rates continue to increase in our schools, this has never been more true,” Westerhold said. “In a state as diverse as Illinois, finding a solution for equitable and adequate funding to meet the needs of our state's two million students remains a priority and obstacle.” Westerhold is married to Dr. Kenneth Cull, a retired school superintendent. Daughter Emily Westerhold and husband Sebastian Rymarz live in San Francisco, stepson Ian Cull and wife Heather live in Chicago, and stepdaughter Jami Cull Patrick and husband Andrew live in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple has four grandchildren - Stone, Brooklyn and Savannah Cull and Melis Patrick.

association for school superintendents and administrators. Dr. Jane L.

Westerhold began her one-year term on July 1 as president of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). “I am deeply honored to serve in such a capacity. Throughout the years of my membership, the

Dr. Jane L. Westerhold

IASA has been a consistent source of support and fellowship, avenue for professional growth, and advocate for public education,” said Westerhold, who has been an educator for 38 years, the past 11 as superintendent in the Des Plaines district. “I am a better educator and leader as a result of my involvement in the IASA. I am particularly excited to continue articulating and supporting Vision 20/20's policy platform to fulfill the promise of public education.” Dr. Brent Clark, executive director of IASA, said Westerhold’s vast experience and her leadership skills will serve her well in providing solid leadership for IASA, which is one of the nation’s largest statewide associations for school administrators with more than 1,700 members. “Jane Westerhold has been on the IASA Board of Directors for more than seven years and was chosen Illinois Superintendent of the Year in 2013. She is a respected educator and leader who is committed to providing the best possible educational opportunities for children,” Clark said. “These are some of the most challenging times ever for public education and I believe Jane’s leadership abilities can help us navigate through these difficult times.” In addition to serving this past year as president- elect of the association, Westerhold also has been treasurer of IASA as well as being on various committees. She also has served as a coach for IASA’s School for Advanced Leadership (ISAL) and is an IASA mentor for new school superintendents. She was inducted in 2014 into the Century Club 100, a national honorary group that selects two superintendents per state. Westerhold also is a member of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Governing Board as well as a member of the National Center for Research and

4