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Getting to know your IASA Region Presidents
Lance Landek
IASA Region President - Illini
School district:
Oakland CUSD 5
One thing you would like people to know about
your school district:
Although we are a very small
district, we are proud to be able to continue to offer a
full range of courses in industrial technology,
agriculture, family and consumer science, CNA
certification, and entrepreneurship.
Years as educator:
18
High School:
Villa Grove High School
Colleges or Universities:
University of Illinois-
Champaign, University of Illinois-Springfield, and
Eastern Illinois University
Family:
Wife Annette, Daughters Lyndsey (24) and
Jordan (20)
Favorite hobby:
Watching Blackhawks hockey
Favorite movie:
Goodfellas
and
Gran Torino
Favorite book:
A Repair Kit for Grading
;
15 Fixes
for Broken Grades and Outliers
Favorite musical artist:
Eminem, REO
Speedwagon, and Motley Crue
One thing people probably
would be surprised to know
about you:
The following things
make me cry: when Rudy’s dad
enters Notre Dame Stadium,
watching Jonathan Towes pick
up the Stanley Cup (both times),
Jim Valvano’s “Never Give Up”
speech, and watching Chief
Illiniwek’s final dance.
Biggest concern about public
education:
I worry that good people are going to
quit entering the field of teaching or leave it after just
a few years. I am discouraged by all the “stuff” we
have to do at school (teachers and administrators)
that keep us from actually educating children.
Most encouraging thing about public education:
I
am amazed by the support most districts receive from
the community as well as the support the district
provides for the community. In a small district like
ours, the school district is a vital provider of social
services as well the largest employer in the
community. This is true in most small towns
throughout the State. Because of this, I am
encouraged that public education, no matter how
threatened, will continue to exist in small towns.
Les Stevens
IASA Region President - Two Rivers
School district:
North Greene
Unit District 3
One thing you would like
people to know about your
school district:
We have some
really great kids who always
amaze and encourage me.
Years as educator:
40
High School:
Teutopolis
Community High School
Colleges or Universities:
Eastern Illinois University
(Bachelors); Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
(Masters); University of Illinois-Springfield (Post-
Masters, Superintendent’s Endorsement); Illinois
State University (Doctoral work)
Family:
Becky, wife of 15 years; one son (AJ), three
daughters (Jill, Jennifer, Jessica), two step-sons
(Matt, Curtis) and 11 grandchildren (2 more, on the
way, in March and July); 2 great sons-in-law and 2
wonderful daughters-in-law.
Favorite hobby:
I am just getting into woodworking
and I’m really enjoying it. My plan is to make
something for each grandchild, including an “Asking
Bench” for the boys – on which they’ll “pop the
question” on a bench Grandpa made. I’m still trying
to figure out what to make for the girls. But I think I’d
better get started.
Favorite movie:
Bullitt
– Steve McQueen
Favorite book:
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Favorite musical artist:
The Beatles
One thing people probably would be surprised to
know about you:
Despite my coaching background,
I’m just as excited to see kids perform in the Spring
Musical, Christmas programs or at an FFA event.
Biggest concern about public education:
The
coming teacher shortage, resulting from unfair
pension reform, an accountability system that places
emphasis on ill-conceived standardized assessments
and would-be educational experts who continually
blame teachers who are fighting an uphill battle
against unprecedented poverty and the decline of
traditional moral values in our country.
Most encouraging thing about public education:
The potential that technology provides our kids and
the challenges they’ll be able to tackle with the “new
learning” we’re working so hard on with them.
