Westfield principal Debbie Kling

For the rest of the school year, we'll feature an occasional series in the Neighbor section introducing readers to the men and women who sit in the corner offices of schools across DuPage County. Beyond learning why they entered education, you'll find personal details, such as whether they head to the North or South Side for a baseball game. We hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we have.

-- Catherine Edman

Age: I have reached the age of possessing wisdom, although no one's really interested in this reflective aspect of my personality!

Family: Husband, four adult children, three precious granddaughters and a running buddy (Labrador) called Boone

Grew up in: McHenry. (It was a little farm town in those days.)

Your ultimate pet: My running buddy, Boone

What's your education philosophy in one sentence: I don't see hurdles, I see horizons.

Personal hero: My mother

How did you wind up in education? At 5 years old I started playing teacher. I knew it was inevitable.

What is your dream vacation? Azul, calm seas, pristine, deserted white beaches, a palm tree over a lounge chair and a good book.

If you won the biggest lottery in history you'd... make the Renaissance happen in American education before I retire.

Favorite reality show? Amazing Race.

Cubs or Sox? The winning team.

If you could invite one literary character to dinner, who would you pick and why? Nora Ephron, she is about my age. I think we'd have a lot in common.

Musical guilty pleasures: Old Beatles tunes or Crosby, Stills Nash and Young. I love to sing along!

Favorite childhood book? "The Little Engine That Could."

Bungee jumping, rappelling or parachuting? Parachuting.

What's the most innovative program you've seen so far at school? Interdisciplinary team teaching.

Latest new "it" word you've heard from a student? Since most of my students are incredibly respectful when talking with their principal, I don't get to be the lucky recipient of the latest "it" word!

What lasting impression do you hope to leave? That I made a difference in the life of a child.

What's the worst influence on today's youth? Peer pressure.

Thing that makes today's students distinct? Growing up in the digital age, they are wired differently than the adults teaching them.

If I could change one thing about the world it would be #8230; tolerance.

If you could paint your office any color it would be #8230; I have the color in my office on one wall, Sedona Brick.