Returning to her roots

"Kids are absolutely phenomenal and they are great to be around -- their spirit, their curiosity. There isn't a day that goes by that there isn't something they say or do that reminds you of why this profession is so important."

Melanie Raczkiewicz, District 203 associate superintendent

For Melanie Raczkiewicz, taking a job in Naperville Unit District 203 this year was a chance to come home.

The new associate superintendent for operations was just a fledgling teacher when she first joined the school district in 1979. She spent just more than a decade here until leaving to seek a position as principal.

But when the opportunity to replace the retiring Tom Paulsen became available last spring, she jumped at the chance to return to District 203.

"It was more than just coming home, it was returning to a place (where) I had great respect for the work that was done," she said. "There was a culture here that was all about kids."

Raczkiewicz, who is originally from Elmwood Park, says her interest in education goes back to elementary school. She still remembers the warm and welcoming feeling she got when entering her third-grade classroom.

"From then on I played school with every kid I could nab in the neighborhood," she said. "They sat on my front porch … and I had worksheets (the teacher) used to use and let us take home. So it was just in my blood."

Raczkiewicz has a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, a master's from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Loyola University-Chicago.

After leaving District 203 in 1991, she held several positions in other area districts including St. Charles Unit District 303, where she was most recently the chief academic officer.

She and her husband, Henry, still reside in St. Charles.

Raczkiewicz says there is no better profession than helping students grow and learn as they make their way through the school system.

"Kids are absolutely phenomenal and they are great to be around -- their spirit, their curiosity," she said. "There isn't a day that goes by that there isn't something they say or do that reminds you of why this profession is so important."

Superintendent Alan Leis said Raczkiewicz's experience in St. Charles and her history with District 203 made her a good fit for the open position.

"She spent a part of her earlier career in 203, so she really has roots here and she understands us and our culture," Leis said. "She was ready to make a change and I was very excited she was willing to consider us."

As head of operations, Raczkiewicz is overseeing the planning for the district's facility improvements. Community engagement meetings to solicit feedback begin this week, but she said she already has been impressed by the involvement she has seen from residents.

Next up is getting into more and more schools to meet administrators, teachers and students.

"I'm just thrilled to be here. I feel very, very fortunate," she said. "Having been in four different school districts, when I look at the mission and vision and beliefs on the wall, they're lived here. And that's very unique."