Wauconda Grade School principal aims for student success
Debbie Monroe has seen education from many different viewpoints since her career began in 1977.
During that time, she's worked as a teacher, social worker and assistant principal. Since 2003, she's led Wauconda Grade School as its principal.
Monroe says she loves the school and feels very fortunate to be a part of Wauconda Unit District 118.
She has a bachelor's degree in English/Education from Missouri Valley College, a masters in English literature from Northeastern Illinois University, a masters in social work from Loyola University. She also has completed all of the required coursework for her doctoral degree from Loyola University.
Q. Why did you want to be a principal?
A. I wanted to be an elementary school principal because I believed I could make a positive impact in the lives of our students. I also believed that I could productively support our teachers to continue to develop their skills at being excellent educators.
Q. What's the best part of your job?
A. Being an elementary school principal is the best job in the world. Building relationships with staff, students, families, and our school community is paramount to me, and I treasure all of the connections we have made over the years.
I am fortunate to work with an incredibly talented group of teachers and ancillary staff, who all share the common goal of doing what is best for our students. With that said, our students are at the center of everything that we do and every decision we make.
Wauconda Grade School is home to 600-plus awesome students. We know that every student is utterly unique, with different learning styles, strengths, interests and experiences, and it is our privilege to work diligently to meet the needs of all of our students.
Q. What's the most challenging part of what you do?
A. Education is always in flux, and redesigning classrooms doesn't necessarily mean moving desks and tables. Change creates new challenges and opportunities.
For example, technology has played a major role in the shift. We have moved away from overhead projectors to short throw projectors, typewriters to computers, and shifted hard-copy newsletters to a multitude of social media platforms to communicate and deliver information.
Embracing change, although a constant in life, is difficult for many. Pushing the boundaries beyond one's comfort zone is difficult, and it is oftentimes challenging to convey the importance of taking it to the next level.
Q. What's your goal for the school this year?
A. Setting goals provides me with a long-term vision and allows me to have a great view of the "Big Picture."
Improving student achievement is our general, overarching goal that encompasses everything that we do at Wauconda Grade School. Overall, student achievement perpetuates an educational environment in which students, staff, and our families have an opportunity to be empowered, industrious, contributing, and satisfied.