Leadership Matters April 2015

Getting to know your IASA Membership and Communications Committee Members

Favorite book: The Bible. It has provided me with great guidance. Favorite musical artist: Not really tied to one artist but if I had to choose, probably Elvis One thing people probably would be surprised to know about you: I really like dirt track racing. The

Mark Doan Wabash Valley Region School district: Effingham Unit District 40 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: We have a nationally recognized Mentoring Program with over 130 adult mentors for students in grades 5-12. Unit 40 has developed partnerships with both the local Chamber of Commerce and Lakeland Community College to establish new dual credit, vocational learning opportunities for students. Years as educator: 26 High school: Unity High School (Tolono) Colleges or Universities: SIU-Carbondale, Illinois State University & Eastern Illinois University Family : Wife, Sharon; stepchildren Nick Gough (Gretchen) and Allyson Grant (Ryan); Granddaughters: Brookelyn, Ava, Jenna, and Lyla Favorite hobby: Sharon and I have a Class A RV and we love to visit places we have never been. You meet wonderful people across Illinois and surrounding states. Favorite movie: Anything with John Wayne as the lead. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon ranks up there.

Midwest has the best dirt track racing in the U.S Biggest concern about public education: The lack of an overall plan for improvement is a major concern. Two points: 1) we lose credibility and focus when changes are initiated every few years, and 2) districts cannot implement with fidelity any programs when there are multiple presented with little support. Most encouraging thing about public education: Despite the onslaught of issues (standards, assessment, evaluation, and pensions to name a few) our profession continues to improve and “do more with less” every year. Educators and school districts do not get the credit for continuing to make a positive difference in our students’ lives everyday. We continue to have dedicated employees that care about kids.

historical research Favorite movie: Hoosiers

Greg Frehner, Shawnee Region

Favorite book: The Winner Within by Pat Riley Favorite musical artist: Classic Rock n Roll One thing people probably would be surprised to

School district: Vienna Elementary School District 55 One thing you would like people to know about your school district: District 55 continues to be

know about you: My parents are retired professional educators from Wisconsin

Biggest concern about public education: Forced reductions in staff and programs due to continued General State Aid proration and an existing funding formula that widens the inequity gap for rural school districts. Most encouraging thing about public education: Professional educators (both certified and non- certified staff) and Boards of Education who continue to work diligently to do more with less. The passion for providing the best possible educational experience for every student continues to be strong during these challenging times in public education in the State of Illinois.

recognized for its strong student performance. Years as educator: 19 High school: Palmyra-Eagle High School (Palmyra, WI) Colleges or Universities: Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, MN), Associates Degree; University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse ,Secondary Education; Eastern Illinois University, Type 75 Administrative; Southern Illinois University; Carbondale, Superintendent’s Certificate Family: Wife, Tonya and son, Knox Favorite hobby: Spending time with family, following sports teams from Wisconsin, and

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