Students support laid-off teacher in Dist. 203
A group of Naperville Central students put their speech lessons to use Monday, speaking out for a communications teacher who may be out of a job next year.
Eight students spoke at the Naperville Unit District 203 school board meeting to show their support of Melissa Elliott-Lowell, a Central teacher finishing up her third year in the district. At least half a dozen more attended the meeting although they didn't speak.
Senior Rebecca Ebling said "Mrs. EL" as she is known, is a hands-on teacher whose discussion-based classes make students excited to attend.
"I was excited to do the work because I knew she was going to push me past limits and teach me something," Ebling said.
Elliott-Lowell was among the 77 teachers who received nonrenewal notices this spring. That figure includes 47 nontenured teachers, eight interns and 22 permanent building substitutes.
Many districts including District 203 give out nonrenewal notices every spring and often hire many of the employees back in the fall depending on the budget and enrollment.
The proposed budget for next year shows the district is down the equivalent of nearly seven full-time employees due to enrollment. But Superintendent Mark Mitrovich said it is still too soon to tell how many people who received layoff notices will be rehired.
Colleen Thomas was among the Central students on Monday advocating for Elliott-Lowell's return.
"Mrs. EL is one of those teachers who won't let you allow yourself to fail," she said. "Every time I went up to give a speech I was so nervous, but she always gives you encouraging words and just lets you know ... you're in front of your peers and they're there to support you and so is she."
Affan Qureshi started one of several Facebook pages in support of the communications teacher. His has more than 500 members. Students also are circulating petitions.
"She seems like she has a charismatic way of teaching the class and getting everyone involved and it influences everyone," Qureshi said.
Mitrovich would not comment specifically about Elliott-Lowell on Monday because it is a personnel matter. Melea Smith, director of communications, released a written statement after the meeting.
"We have a consistent and well-vetted evaluation process that focuses on the quality of our educational product," the statement said. "As an educational institution, our priority is student achievement. Staffing decisions are always made with that priority in mind."
Mitrovich did, however, commend students for speaking at the meeting.
"They're meeting the mission of the district," he said. "They're taking the initiative to share what they believe in."