National Louis University Honors Mount Prospect's Anthony Murray

As principal of Lincoln Middle School in Park Ridge, Anthony Murray has championed social-emotional learning, educating the whole child and improving student achievement. Because of his dedication and accomplishments, National Louis University, from which he earned his doctorate in educational leadership in 2010, has selected him from alumni nationwide for its prestigious 2018 Reach award.

Murray, who lives in Mount Prospect, wrote his dissertation on "Social- Emotional Learning Through Middle School Advisory." He has put social-emotional learning, including such topics as how to handle conflicts with others, bullying, building relationships and being a good citizen, into practice as principal at Lincoln Middle School in Park Ridge Community School District 64. While advisory, which incorporates social-emotional learning, is a program in District 64, it was a class period at Wood Dale Junior High, where Murray was principal from 2006-2012.

Over the years, Murray has remained involved with National Louis University, allowing professors to bring education students into his school's classrooms to observe. He has also brought in student teachers.

Murray attended New Trier High School, and his love of history grew when he spent a portion of his undergraduate years studying in Rome, Italy. He earned his master's in history and taught eighth-grade social studies in Palatine before enrolling at National Louis. He earned his Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership in 2002 before entering his doctoral program.

As a principal, Murray feels his mission is both leadership and service.

"We all work together," he said. "If I can help us all work together better, that's very gratifying."

The best part of being a principal, he believes, is working with kids, being in classrooms and generally listening and helping as kids go through ups and downs.

"Tony Murray has dedicated his career to the idea that all children can achieve to high levels," said Robert Muller, Ed.D., dean of National Louis University's National College of Education. "That's our mission, and it's an honor to count such an accomplished middle-grades educator and leader among our alumni community."

Murray will receive the Reach NCE award on June 5 at the university's award banquet at the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel, Chicago.