Meet the Principal: Debra Martello
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. Beyond learning why they entered education, you'll find personal details, such as whether they head to the North or South Side for a baseball game. We hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we have.
Debra Martello, principal, Lake Park School, Addison, Addison Elementary District 4
Age: 45
Grew up in: South suburbs
Your ultimate pet: Unlimited amount of dogs.
What's your education philosophy in one sentence? To provide a safe, supportive and encouraging environment so that everyone is inspired to be their best and to achieve to their highest level.
Personal hero: My mother.
How did you wind up in education? My love of learning inspired me to turn around and share that passion with others.
What is your dream vacation? I love to travel … especially to places that are exotic and far away and that I read about as a child.
If you won the biggest lottery in history you'd ... start up and run nonprofit organizations to benefit children and pets.
Favorite reality show? I don't watch a lot of TV.
Cubs or Sox? Grew up a Sox fan but live in Wrigleyville … so I root for the Cubs.
Favorite childhood book? Dick and Jane books.
Bungee jumping, rappelling or parachuting? Rappelling.
What's the most innovative program you've seen so far at school? Training teens to tutor struggling students. The best way to learn is to turn around and teach someone else!
What lasting impression do you hope to leave? That I made a positive difference in the lives of the people that I touched.
What's the worst influence on today's youth? Television, a stressed out society, families that are so busy trying making ends meet that they don't have time to spend or work with their children or eat dinner together.
If I could change one thing about the world it would be ... slow down and focus on people, taking care of the world.
If you could paint your office any color it would be… a mural of a beautiful outdoor scene.