Meet DuJardin principal Mark Dwyer
Mark Dwyer, principal of DuJardin Elementary School, Bloomingdale, Bloomingdale Elementary District 13
Age: 42
Family: Married with two daughters, ages 10 and 7.
Grew up in: Roselle
The ultimate pet: Yellow Lab
What's your education philosophy in one sentence? To get the most out of each child every day, and to maximize each teaching moment.
Personal hero? Neil A. Armstrong, the first person on the moon. How cool is that?
How did you wind up in education? I followed in the footsteps of my then-girlfriend (now my wife), plus I had a great mentor growing up who was my middle school principal and later became the district superintendent. I spent quite a bit of time in his office during my middle school years … it must have been good practice!
What is your dream vacation? On a beach anywhere in the world with my family, enjoying a beautiful sunset.
If you won the biggest lottery in history you'd … never see me again.
Favorite reality show? "Dancing with the Stars."
Cubs or Sox? Cubs
If you could invite one literary character to dinner, who would you pick and why? Benjamin Bartholomew Piff -- he made the perfect wish!
Musical guilty pleasures? U2
Favorite childhood book? "Where the Red Fern Grows" or "The Incredible Journey" -- it's too difficult to chose between the two.
Bungee jumping, rappelling or parachuting? Sky diving!
What's the most innovative program you've seen so far at school? Differentiation by the classroom teacher, and how it is no longer acceptable to only "teach to the middle."
What lasting impression do you hope to leave? My love and respect of children.
What's the worst influence on today's youth? A lack of positive male role models in our society.
Thing that makes today's students distinct? Their ability to manage technology and multi-task. They are so good at this.
If I could change one thing about the world it would be … to wipe out world hunger and that every person would receive three square meals a day.
If you could paint your office any color it would be … white, I like white walls -- nothing fancy here.