NSSEO Governing Board Brief
March 2025 (Updated)
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program celebrates Hadley, a remarkable 6th grader from District 62, who embodies the qualities of an exceptional student. She is clever, kind, and humorous, but most importantly, she understands herself and advocates for her needs. Hadley has worked hard to educate others about her hearing loss, sharing her experiences in a powerful essay and through an impactful presentation to her teachers.
Her insights on accessibility and the challenges of being hard of hearing have left a lasting impression. Hadley excels in academics and extracurricular activities, from cross country to art club, and shines as a role model big sister.
We honor Hadley today not only for her achievements but for her spirit and advocacy!
Aiden is a Township High School District 211 Independence for Life student who attended Hoffman Estates High School. During the 24-25 school year, he has been working on critical skills in Career Readiness, Work Experiences, Household Management, Accessing the Community, Personal Relationships, and Self-Advocacy/Self-Determination.
Aiden has had the opportunity to participate in work-based learning opportunities at community businesses, including Michael’s and Subway. Aiden has made significant progress in the workplace. He is proud to talk about his growth in the areas of independence, task completion, and self-determination.
Aiden has worked to the Internship level of work training within District 211. Interns work independently and have a site visit from a coach once a week. Aidan is currently an Intern at Subway. His job coach describes him as an intern who “takes the initiative, especially when learning the POS system, restocking ingredients, and keeping the workspace clean. Additionally, Aiden has shown strong problem-solving skills when faced with unexpected challenges. Aiden’s cooperation, teamwork, and great customer service make him deserving of this recognition.”
Congrats Aiden!
Kirk School and the Arlington Heights Senior Center have had a long-standing collaboration. A major staple of their collaboration is during Valentine's Day. Kirk, students, and staff spend time putting together a wide variety of sweet cards for everyone to share with their valentine. Liz Nierman, NSSEO Governing Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator at the Senior Center, said, "This year was over the top; there were pictures, poems, and funny rhymes!" Justin and Rodrigo, pictured below, have been working at the Senior Center for some time now. Justin works at the concession stand selling coffee and snacks, and Rodrigo helps keep the place orderly by keeping the gym tidy and cleaning all the chocolate off the mahjong tiles.
We are incredibly proud of this partnership, and we look forward to the next round of sweet updates!
We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Browning will be stepping into the role of principal at Kirk School for the 2025-2026 school year. Jennifer is no stranger to the Kirk community, having previously served as a classroom aide, classroom teacher for seven years, and assistant principal for one year. Her deep understanding of the school’s culture, values, and commitment to student success makes her an ideal leader to continue Kirk’s tradition of excellence. Most recently, she has spent the past four years as the assistant principal at Grove Junior High in Elk Grove Village, where she has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Jennifer’s leadership is rooted in collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and a whole-child approach to education. Her experience at Grove Junior High has allowed her to implement initiatives that promote student achievement, enhance school climate, and strengthen family engagement—values that align seamlessly with NSSEO’s vision. As she returns to Kirk School, Jennifer is eager to build upon its strong foundation, working alongside staff, students, and families to ensure continued growth and success. We are excited to welcome Jennifer back to Kirk and look forward to the impact her leadership will bring.
