Post by title1parent on Jul 26, 2011 5:39:36 GMT -5
Metea Valley’s chief will lead state principals group
By Jenette Sturges
jsturges@stmedianetwork.com
Last Modified: Jul 25, 2011 10:44PM
AURORA — His enthusiasm for the Metea Mustangs may be rivaled by only one other thing: his enthusiasm for being a principal.
“I think it’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm of students on a daily basis,” said Jim Schmid, principal at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. “When you see what they’re involved with and how excited they get in their endeavors, it’s neat to see kids grow. There’s a great deal of moving and shaking going on in these four years.”
All that enthusiasm has recently landed Schmid the post of president of the Illinois Principals Association, the professional organization that speaks on behalf of principals and administrators from around the state. The organization focuses on professional development through workshops and conferences, legislative advocacy, and improving communication between school administrators.
As the organization’s president, Schmid will be organizing the group’s fall conference, and has already set the theme for the year: The Power of Possibility.
“How do you look at a challenge and think of it as an opportunity?” said Schmid, who said the idea came after speaker and conductor Benjamin Zander spoke on the topic to his music students last fall.
“We face a lot of challenges as administrators, so I think that’s a really important thing to think about.”
Among those challenges administrators are facing, Schmid said, is how to do more with less when state spending on education is undependable, and how to enact the kinds of reforms that will have the best outcomes for students.
“There’s so many reform efforts, the whole evaluation process and what that’s going to look like, the testing process that’s coming down with the common core at the heart, and always trying to determine what mandates are most appropriate,” Schmid said. “Budgets are always an issue, resources are an issue. A lot of things are happening in the state right now.”
Which is why IPA executive director Jason Leahy said he was glad to have Schmid as the group’s new president.
“Jim Schmid is one of the finest high school principals in Illinois,” said Leahy in a press release.
“His experience and expertise as a building leader along with the numerous leadership positions he has held within the Illinois Principals Association have equipped him to lead one of the finest principals associations across the country.”
Schmid lives in Aurora and helped open Metea Valley High School in 2008. He has been principal there since 2009.
He was named principal of Waubonsie Valley High School, also in the Indian Prairie School District, in 2004, after serving as an assistant principal.
Prior to his administrative experience, Schmid spent six years as a high school English and speech teacher, dean of student development at a small university, high school dean of students and high school guidance counselor.
By Jenette Sturges
jsturges@stmedianetwork.com
Last Modified: Jul 25, 2011 10:44PM
AURORA — His enthusiasm for the Metea Mustangs may be rivaled by only one other thing: his enthusiasm for being a principal.
“I think it’s great to see the excitement and enthusiasm of students on a daily basis,” said Jim Schmid, principal at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. “When you see what they’re involved with and how excited they get in their endeavors, it’s neat to see kids grow. There’s a great deal of moving and shaking going on in these four years.”
All that enthusiasm has recently landed Schmid the post of president of the Illinois Principals Association, the professional organization that speaks on behalf of principals and administrators from around the state. The organization focuses on professional development through workshops and conferences, legislative advocacy, and improving communication between school administrators.
As the organization’s president, Schmid will be organizing the group’s fall conference, and has already set the theme for the year: The Power of Possibility.
“How do you look at a challenge and think of it as an opportunity?” said Schmid, who said the idea came after speaker and conductor Benjamin Zander spoke on the topic to his music students last fall.
“We face a lot of challenges as administrators, so I think that’s a really important thing to think about.”
Among those challenges administrators are facing, Schmid said, is how to do more with less when state spending on education is undependable, and how to enact the kinds of reforms that will have the best outcomes for students.
“There’s so many reform efforts, the whole evaluation process and what that’s going to look like, the testing process that’s coming down with the common core at the heart, and always trying to determine what mandates are most appropriate,” Schmid said. “Budgets are always an issue, resources are an issue. A lot of things are happening in the state right now.”
Which is why IPA executive director Jason Leahy said he was glad to have Schmid as the group’s new president.
“Jim Schmid is one of the finest high school principals in Illinois,” said Leahy in a press release.
“His experience and expertise as a building leader along with the numerous leadership positions he has held within the Illinois Principals Association have equipped him to lead one of the finest principals associations across the country.”
Schmid lives in Aurora and helped open Metea Valley High School in 2008. He has been principal there since 2009.
He was named principal of Waubonsie Valley High School, also in the Indian Prairie School District, in 2004, after serving as an assistant principal.
Prior to his administrative experience, Schmid spent six years as a high school English and speech teacher, dean of student development at a small university, high school dean of students and high school guidance counselor.