State superintendent Tony Smith visits East Leyden High

Illinois State Superintendent Tony Smith, Ph.D., visited East Leyden High School for much of the school day on Friday, Jan. 8. Fran Brady, Director of Careers and Business Department Chairperson, invited Superintendent Smith to Leyden so he could see first-hand the district's college and career readiness programs.

While at the East campus, Smith observed and interacted with students in Leyden's culinary, technical support internship and manufacturing programs. In addition, he spoke with journalism students, representatives from the E-Learning Days committee (virtual snow days pilot program) and students in the Advanced Placement Capstone program designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study provided via AP courses.

District 212 Superintendent Nick Polyak says Smith learned about the job-ready certifications that students earn at Leyden. "Dr. Smith was very impressed by students, the opportunities and experiences offered to them, and the voice they have in their education," Polyak says. "He was equally impressed by the longevity of teachers, administrators and board members in our district. He attributed that to part of the reason we are able to have sustained success in our programs."