In the fall of 1990, I was a sophomore at Cook County School High School. I remember taking both biology and what at that time was called, “home economics.” Home economics gave us a little taste of sewing, a bit of personal finance, but mainly it was a class on the basics of cooking. I still recall, even at that... READ MORE >
As I continue my career journey in the realm of public school education, I often lie awake at night asking myself how we can best serve the youth of our county. As our current students are doing now, I too, grew up in Cook County. I walked the same hallways, have sat in the same classrooms, ran and played on... READ MORE >
In late July our Junior American Legion baseball team qualified for the state tournament for the first time in our county’s history. Most sports fans, myself included, are more familiar with school-sponsored activities and tournaments, so traveling to a state tournament in the summer was a new experience for this group of young athletes. This team has a unique make-up... READ MORE >
Two weeks ago, I attended a conference for middle and high school principals in Minnesota. It was a great week of meeting new contacts and learning about best practices in education. While I could write summaries of the sessions I attended on cyber security, teaching kindness, best practices in restorative discipline, and many other topics, one issue continued to come... READ MORE >
For most seniors and their parents, graduation is a weekend of celebration. It is an enduring rite of passage signaling a shift from high school life to young adulthood. The weekend is filled with last minute scrambling, rain plans for graduation parties, attending the ceremony itself, and visiting with numerous friends and family. While educators enjoy many of these same... READ MORE >
This past weekend, I spent two days driving the mini-bus to Slayton, Minnesota with our two Envirothon teams that advanced to the state competition. Our students left at around noon on Sunday and made the 450-mile expedition to the southwest corner of the state. Following the competition on Monday, they got back on the bus and made the trek back... READ MORE >
Growing up in Cook County, I was blessed with a lot of great experiences. I remember my visits to Leng’s Fountain for my favorite old-fashioned phosphates, or an original Cherry Coke before there was such a thing in a can. Before eating out in restaurants became commonplace, I remember the excitement of our annual dinner out at the Birch Terrace... READ MORE >
If each high school year’s fireworks finale ends with the splendor of graduation in early June, then May is the month that builds up the show with several colorful displays of academic and extra-curricular activity to draw the oohs and aahs from our community. Our Knowledge Bowl team started things off in April, finishing in fourth place at the state... READ MORE >
After a long break from writing for the Cook County News-Herald, it feels good to be back with a weekly column in the paper. Many of you may remember my weekly “Coach’s Corner,” but as my role at Cook County Schools transitions from teacher and coach to assistant principal and activities director, I feel my purpose for writing should evolve... READ MORE >
As a lifelong resident of Cook County, a former student-athlete of Cook County schools, a current coach of two varsity athletic programs, and a parent of four children in our school system, I feel compelled to give everyone an accurate picture of what a failed levy vote would do to the academic and athletic programs at Cook County schools. The... READ MORE >
