14
Getting to know your IASA Governmental
Relations and Advocacy Committee Members
Supt. Brent O’Daniell,
Two Rivers Region
School district:
Virginia CUSD #64
One thing you would like people to know about
your school district:
We are celebrating the
completion of a new Jr/Sr. high school, and we
have a strong, committed supportive community.
Years as educator:
18
High school:
Woodlawn High School
Colleges or Universities:
BA from Lindenwood
College in St. Charles, MO; Masters and
Specialists from Eastern Illinois University Cohort
Program in Mt. Vernon
Family:
Wife of 19 years Stacie, Daughter Lauren
-HS senior, Son Brendan-HS Sophomore.
Favorite hobby:
Golfing and hunting with my son,
watching movies with my daughter, and following
both of their careers in baseball, softball, football,
volleyball and basketball. (Whew!)
Favorite movie:
Remember
the Titans
Favorite book:
Quiet Strength
by Tony Dungy
Favorite musical artist:
Walk
off the Earth – (Check them out
on YouTube!)
One thing people probably
would be surprised to know
about you:
I have won multiple cooking
competitions, including chili, pulled pork and ribs.
Biggest concern about public education:
We
are so busy trying to redact all the negative
publicity from outside entities, we cannot focus on
the great successes we see daily.
Most encouraging thing about public
education:
Vision 20/20. Super excited to jump
on board with this movement and change the
perception and environment of public education!!
Supt. Lea Damisch, NW Region
Name:
Lea Damisch
School district:
Marengo
Union Elementary CSD # 165
One thing you would like
people to know about your
school district:
There is a
very strong connection to the
community and a genuine
sense of pride in valuing the
need for public education.
Years as educator:
17 years
High school:
Marian Central Catholic H.S.
Colleges or Universities
: BS Business
Administration/Mathematics from MacMurray
College; MBA from Allstate University; MA from
Trinity University; MA in Educational Leadership-
Aurora University; CAS from Western Illinois
University; IASA School for Advanced Leadership
(ISAL).
Family
: Married for 30 years. I have seven
children, three grandchildren — with the fourth one
to arrive in November. My oldest grandson is in
first grade in my school district. Three of my
children live in Marengo, while my other four live all
over the country (California, Texas, Georgia, and
Tennessee). It makes for a challenge to get them
all together, but I talk to each of them almost every
day with the exception of my son who serves in the
military.
Favorite hobby:
Running the family farm
Favorite movie:
Anne of Green Gables
Favorite book:
The Bible
Favorite musical artist:
Alabama
One thing people probably would be surprised
to know about you:
I am a bee keeper.
Biggest concern about public education:
The
constant barrage of government mandates and
decisions that have resulted in the public school
system to be the “poster child” for what doesn’t
work.
Most encouraging thing about public
education:
It is still the great equalizer! Our doors
are always open and we educate all who cross the
threshold -- and I hope that never changes. I am
of the belief that we are charged with the
responsibility of raising up the children of today
and equipping them with the necessary skills to
make them proud and productive citizens of this
great nation.
