October 22, 2024
Dear Families, Staff & Community Members,
October is always a joyful month in our schools, including our beloved Kindergarten Butterfly Migration, Halloween festivities, Autumnfest and more. Did you know that October is also National Principals Month? The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) observes Principal Appreciation Week from October 20-26, 2024. To highlight the contributions and personal stories of our building Administrators, I’m sharing the first five episodes of Season Three of the District’s podcast, Winnetka Voices, featuring Ms. Ivory Ajavon (Principal of Hubbard Woods School), Ms. Lindsay Kopinski (Principal of Greeley School), Ms. Michelle Cooney and Mr. Larry Joynt (Principal and Assistant Principal of The Skokie School), Dr. Andrew Fenton and Mr. Ben Horwitz (Principal and Assistant Principal of Carleton Washburne School) and Dr. Luke Livingston (Principal of Crow Island School). Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families. Please see episode descriptions and links to listen below. Enjoy getting to know our incredible leaders!
Most Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Tess
Superintendent of Schools
Leading Through Change & Finding Joy in our Work
Luke Livingston, Principal, discusses the state of affairs at Crow Island School, which is in the midst of significant construction and the Districtwide Literacy curriculum rollout. He describes his background as an educator and how mentors helped him become a strong leader focused on meeting goals, providing clarity, building trust, and advocacy for children. “We all have to grow in the same direction to make good use of our resources and do what is best for kids,” says Dr. Livingston. Dr. Livingston relays candid moments that bring him joy as an elementary school principal and also shares thoughts on how to achieve balance in the midst of busyness, establishing a strong support system and remembering your “why” through tough moments.
Building Future Leaders
In this episode, Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, interviews Ms. Lindsay Kopinski, Principal of Greeley School. Ms. Kopinski reflects on the varied experiences that led her to her current role. In the midst of several initiatives, such as the rollout of new Literacy curriculum and a new Structured Learning Environment classroom to better serve the needs of students, Ms. Kopinski shares her leadership philosophy. “We have to give each other the grace and the space to be able to try things out and get away from the belief that we have to do everything perfectly…I am there to learn along with teachers and support them in the process. I want every student to know that they are a leader in some way shape or form in their lives. We at Greeley will continue to grow those skills for our students…because they are the future.”
Fostering a Growth Mindset
Dr. Tess is joined by Ms. Ivory Ajavon, Principal of Hubbard Woods School. Ms. Ajavon describes her leadership journey, which has involved serving as an educator through Teach for America, teaching and leading in a variety of elementary school environments throughout the country, and earning a Masters degree in School Leadership at Harvard University. She shares how mentors “cared, nurtured, championed and encouraged” her and how she infuses a growth mindset in her own leadership style. Ms. Ajavon is passionate about fostering literacy initiatives and honoring progressive education as she works to support teachers and families in best serving the needs of students. “This is a community about people who are really invested and care about each and every child, a community filled with love. It’s been an incredible experience being part of Hubbard Woods.”
Passion, Purpose & Impacting Future Leaders
Ms. Michelle Cooney, Principal, and Mr. Larry Joynt, Assistant Principal, of The Skokie School provide a glimpse into what led them into their leadership roles. These cumulative experiences include reflections on Ms. Cooney playing detective as a rising 5th grader and leaking all of the class lists over the summer and Mr. Joynt procrastinating a book report and being assigned “Pride and Prejudice” as a consequence. Ms. Cooney shares that one of the joys of serving in education is “Recognizing the value of connection and inspiring someone to live out their true potential…it makes everyone in the community stronger.” “We want to do the best we can for kids because we know they are impacting the future,” echoes Mr. Joynt.
Impacting the Life & Trajectory of a Child
Dr. Tess chats with Carleton Washburne School Leadership, Dr. Andrew Fenton, Principal, and Mr. Ben Horwitz, Assistant Principal, who take us behind-the-scenes on leading a middle school–where no day is the same. They ponder the challenges of leading during the pandemic, yet highlight the resilience and positive practices that were developed as a result. “What is rewarding about this job–when I first started as a teacher and is still similar today–is the reality that you can make a difference in a kid’s life,” says Dr. Fenton. Thinking of the educators who impacted his own life and being able to serve students as an educator himself, Mr. Horwitz notes that hiring the next generation of teachers is a favorite part of his role, “We bring in new teachers, who make this school great and have the same connections with kids over the years."
Listen here:
