Meet North School Principal Debbie Guzan
Debbie Guzan, principal, North School, Villa Park, Villa Park Elementary District 45
Age: 2 score and 8.
Family: Husband, Steve, a high school chemistry teacher; daughter, Katelyn, a seventh-grader.
Grew up in: Chicago
Ultimate pet: A Furby penguin.
What is your education philosophy in one sentence? All children can learn given the appropriate educational environment and supports.
Personal hero: Mrs. Moran, my fourth-grade teacher. She was awesome!
How did you wind up in education: I wanted to be just like my mom, who taught for the Chicago Board of Education for over 30 years.
What is your dream vacation? A cruise through the Greek Isles.
If you won the biggest lottery in history you'd ... open up an ice-cream parlor.
What is your favorite reality show? "Beauty and the Geek"
Cubs or Sox? Kane County Cougars!
If you could invite one literary character to dinner, who would you pick and why? I would pick Junie B. Jones because she reminds me of my daughter when she was younger.
Musical guilty pleasures: Silence! After a long day at school, I love the sound of quiet!
Favorite book? "The Little Engine that Could."
Bungee jumping, rappelling or parachuting? None of these ... I prefer to keep my feet on the ground!
What's the most innovative program you've seen so far at school? Jolly Phonics and SLANT.
Latest new "it" word you've heard from a student? Sweet!
What lasting impression do you hope to leave? Learning is hard work, but can also be a lot of fun!
What makes today's students distinct? The vast amount of opportunities and resources available to them.
If you could change one thing about the world it would be ... to mandate everyone must read for at least one hour a day!
If you could paint your office any color it would be ... pink and purple stripes
Meet the Principal is an occasional series by Catherine Edman introducing readers to the men and women who sit in the corner offices of schools across DuPage County. We hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we have.