Grayslake Central High School Social Studies teacher and Department Chair, Jason Janczak, awarded The Carolyn Pereira Civil Leadership Award from the Illinois Democracy Schools Network

Grayslake Central High School Social Studies teacher and department chairman, Jason Janczak, was recently awarded The Carolyn Pereira Civil Leadership Award from the Illinois Democracy Schools Network.

The Carolyn Pereira Civic Leadership Award is annually given to one of the Democracy Schools Network members who has "demonstrated an exemplary commitment to strengthening schoolwide civic engagement and learning; someone who exhibits initiative, creativity, persistence and integrity in modeling and promoting the elements of the Illinois Democracy Schools model." Janczak has served on the Democracy Schools' Advisory Council for five years, has collaborated with several members of the organization on equity initiatives, has been a presenter and consultant on civic learning issues, and has been an advocate for expanding the reach of civics to all areas of the school. He has worked with several civic partners to bring greater visibility and voice to civic education in his district and beyond.

Illinois Democracy Schools are high schools recognized for school-wide commitment to promoting civic learning by all students, focusing on fostering participatory citizenship and emphasizing the fundamental ideals and principles of our constitutional democracy relating to essential questions facing our republic. Since 2006, over 90 schools have successfully completed a school-wide civic assessment and been recognized as an Illinois Democracy Schools. This important work is made possible by the generous and enthusiastic support of the DuPage Regional Office of Education and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

For information please contact Jason Janczak at jjanczak@d127.org