Athena Arvanitis: 2025 candidate for Elmhurst Unit District 205 board

Bio

Office Sought: Elmhurst Unit District 205 board (Vote for 3)

City: Elmhurst

Age: 45

Occupation: Educational consultant

Previous offices held: Elmhurst Unit District 205 board since 2021

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I spent my 19-year career in education at New Trier High School where I started as a business ed teacher and spent the last 13 years as an administrator ending my career as an assistant principal.

I currently work as an educational consultant helping students and parents navigate the college search and admissions process while also offering assistance in high school academic planning to ensure parents that their students engage in educational opportunities that will help them reach their post high school goals.

I am the current president of the Elmhurst D205 school board and am running for a second term this April.

Over the last four years, our district has seen tremendous improvement in a variety of areas and while that is all great, there is more work to do to ensure our children are provided with an excellent education and opportunities for the betterment of their future. Two areas of focus for me are continuing to elevate student academic achievement and maintaining strong fiscal responsibility while minimizing the tax burden on residents.

What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum?

The school board plays a key role in setting and monitoring the curriculum by approving the overall curriculum framework, adopting/approving textbooks, measuring student growth, and making sure the curriculum aligns with the district’s educational goals, community values, and the state standards. The school board also monitors the implementation of curriculum and the professional development needed to ensure students are receiving a high-quality education.

Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

Over the last four years, the district has put forth tremendous effort in the area of adopting rigorous and viable curriculum. The district improved the ELA curriculum in K-8 by adopting an evidence based curriculum and also engaged in a K-12 Math audit resulting in the adoption of curricular resources that provide students with a robust learning experience.

Another curricular change benefiting students and complimenting the community value of maintaining a comprehensive school experience is the addition of full year science and social studies in Elmhurst middle schools. These are just a few modifications made by the district that are having a positive impact on student learning.

The district is putting forth immense effort to improve student performance on standardized tests and Elmhurst is fortunate to have a strong district administrative team leading this work. We are seeing double digit growth in grades K-5 and significant improvement in 6-8.

Efforts to improve the high school scores are ongoing and are being implemented with a sense of urgency. We are moving the needle in the right direction, something the district was not able to do just four short years ago.

How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

​As a board member and board team, sharing information, identifying potential solutions, open and honest dialogue and listening to every member's voice as we talk through possible outcomes are key to healthy partnership and result in the positive outcomes we have experienced in our district. Managing discord and moving forward with the community and our students’ best interest in mind is the simplest way I can describe how I work through difficult and complicated situations.

Being open-minded, assuming positive intent, and working toward common understanding, not necessarily agreement, are the fundamental characteristics of how I partner and collaborate with constituents.

When we are focused on what is best for all students, rather than what I think is best for me or my child, together we learn and grow by widening our own lens of the world to include different thoughts, ideas, and ways of viewing things. Ultimately, we make stronger decisions that reflect multiple perspectives and are woven in the values of our community.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board.

See my answer above to read about my style and approach to reaching common understanding. The interesting characteristic of school boards is that there are seven voices at the table and ultimately, the board is committed to the “want of the board” or majority view when it comes to the agreements it makes as a whole. In my current role I work to understand all perspectives, represent differing perspectives within our community, and ultimately make decisions that are in the best interest of all students.

What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts? Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs, of would you rather see them diminished. Please explain your reasoning.

Overall I think the district is doing a good job in this area. Creating a warm, welcoming, inclusive environment where all students see themselves within the curriculum and have a place to engage outside of the classroom is one pillar to creating a positive school climate and culture.

Educational research tells us when students are involved in a school with a positive and supportive climate and culture, they are more likely to learn and reach their highest potential. I am a strong advocate for supporting all students in their journey as they learn, grow, and prepare themselves for life after high school.

Exposure to multiple perspectives, thoughts and ideas helps us become strong critical thinkers who have the confidence to speak their thoughts, to ask questions, and to ultimately develop their own opinions and values. I am a supporter of creating and maintaining this environment for all.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am a former school administrator who spent 19 fortunate years of my career at New Trier High School. I’ve held numerous leadership positions as an educator and ended my career at New Trier as an assistant principal.

My understanding of what it takes to become a high performing school district coupled with my ability to identify and imbed the values of the Elmhurst community has bode well in my work with the board of education and the administration throughout my first term.

Being the only candidate seeking a second term, my experience on the school board over the last four years is important to continue moving the district on the current upward path.

What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

This is an interesting question. Our district is strong and heading in the right direction. If you asked me this question four years ago, I might have a different answer. At this time, I believe we have the right people in the right places to continue to improve the educational environment we all want for our kids.

Today, Elmhurst students graduate high school with a great education and multiple experiences to draw from as they enter life after high school. They are learning and participating in sports and the performing arts, they have the opportunity to explore their passions and develop new ones, and perhaps most importantly, they develop a sense of strong community and understand what that can do to inspire change.

Our students go on to great universities and develop great careers. This is the environment we need to continue to offer into the future.