Principal Spychala says reality TV no match for cafeteria at lunch
The Daily Herald is featuring 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.
Wayne Spychala, principal, Monroe Middle School, Wheaton, Wheaton-Warrenville Unit District 200
Age: 50
Family: Wife, Paula, a medical technologist at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (26 very happy years of marriage). Four sons: Scott, 22, a nuclear engineer in Pittsburgh; Daniel, 20, a sophomore in mathematics at Northwestern University; Mark, 17, a junior at Glenbard West High School; Adam, 15, a freshman at Glenbard West.
Grew up in: Arlington Heights
Your ultimate pet: Something that cleans up after itself.
What's your education philosophy in one sentence? We all can continue to learn.
Personal hero? Abraham Lincoln -- he worked for the betterment of others.
How did you wind up in education? Seemed like a natural progression from working with others in various jobs, such as being a camp counselor.
If you won the biggest lottery in history you'd … I would buy up vacant properties and create small wildlife sanctuaries throughout the country.
Favorite reality show? My version of reality TV is the school cafeteria each day. I honestly see very little TV.
Cubs or Sox? Check question 3 (where I grew up) and then say CUBS!
If you could invite one literary character to dinner, who would you pick and why? Sherlock Holmes. I would like to tap into his observation skills and learn more about his use of deductive reasoning.
Musical guilty pleasures? The Bee Gees.
Favorite childhood book? "Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Bungee jumping, rappelling or parachuting? Rappelling -- I enjoyed that adventure at Philmont Innovative program.
What's the most innovative program you've seen so far at school? Primary grades dual language classrooms.
What lasting impression do you hope to leave? Be positive in life.
What's the worst influence on today's youth? Anything that tries to speed up childhood.
Thing that makes today's students distinct? Their fascination with having something playing in their ears at all times possible.
If I could change one thing about the world … end hunger -- after that anything is possible.
If you could paint your office any color it would be … something soothing.