Lake Park principal says he has the support he needs to improve school

While high school is a distant memory for most adults, its hallways are a familiar place for Jim Roberts.

And that's just the way he likes it.

Now in his 18th year as an educator, Roberts stepped into a new role this month as principal of Lake Park High School's East Campus in Roselle. He replaces Mary Hawley who will serve as the district's curriculum specialist until June 30, focusing on curriculum renewal and development projects such as No Child Left Behind.

Before earning the top spot at Lake Park East, Roberts served as assistant principal for instructional services at Lake Park's West Campus and has been with District 108 since July 2007.

But before he came to the Roselle schools, life revolved around another part of DuPage County - Glenbard High School District 87. Not only did he serve as the social studies department chairman for 12 years at Glenbard North - and as dean of students and a teacher early in his career - Roberts also graduated from Glenbard West.

"I see products of my teaching now as teachers themselves," Roberts said with a smile. "It's a small world and it makes you old, too."

Roberts recently sat down with the Daily Herald to share his ideas on what's in store for Lake Park's East Campus. This is an edited version of that conversation.

Q. Now that you've been with Lake Park for more than a year, what do you see as the main goals for the East Campus?

A. Because I'm coming from the West Campus, my big goal is to get to know the faculty, staff and students at East and learn what we're really good at and where we excel.

My former role as assistant principal helped me see what needs are in terms of curriculum and class enrollment. But now I'm looking at the master schedule, which will be a challenge, and looking at the best ways to get kids enrolled in the right classes and placed well.

But at the end of the day, even that is all relational. It's a matter of knowing how to relate to the teachers, parents and kids, which is something I'm really looking forward to.

Q. Will students notice any major changes under your leadership?

A. For the short term, no. We've already unveiled our Lancer Design for Excellence (which adjusts the curriculum to improve student learning and test scores) and that train already has left the station. I won't be changing it, I'll be part of the implementation.

I think if they notice any difference, it will be how I approach my job and build relationships.

Q. So you won't be hiding in your office?

A. No, hiding in the office is definitely not good.

Q. As Lake Park District 108 aims to reach Annual Yearly Progress, or AYP, under the No Child Left Behind mandate, what are some steps you're taking toward that goal?

A. Because we have not made AYP we are in corrective action, which means you need to rethink all the options. Some are pretty Draconian, like getting rid of all your teachers, and Lake Park obviously hasn't gone that route.

So one option is to rethink and redesign curriculum. For example, how you sequence your courses, rethinking what you take and when you take it.

That's where the Lancer Design for Excellence comes in. Right now we're adding more core classes and adjusting graduation requirements ... We're also rewriting courses to include college readiness standards used by ACT when they develop their test.

The whole process has been a drastic turnaround that has been a partnership of faculty, administration and even surrounding schools.

Q. What other challenges face Lake Park East?

A. Our school and our district is known for student involvement in extracurricular activities. So as we are rethinking the curriculum, we want to make sure we preserve a comprehensive high school education. We want kids to be able to still take a great art class or be involved in a good music program.

Q. What do you think sets this district apart?

A. This is an easy question for me: Lake Park's deep ties to the community and tradition. The community attends our events, volunteers for our programs, we honor alumni and distinguished citizens. We are always making sure the community feels good about their investment in these schools and that they feel physically welcome here.

Q. Anything else you want us to know?

A. That my family has been fantastic with me throughout my career. My three boys have always had to share their dad with the school and none of the things I've been able to do could have been accomplished without my wife and my sons.

I'm also grateful that the faculty and support staff at East Campus have made me feel so welcome. It's nice to think, "Hey, I'm not flying solo here."

Getting to know Jim Roberts

Family: Wife, Mary; sons Dillon, 17, Jack, 13 and James, 10. Mary is a nurse at Central DuPage Hospital

Pets: Cotton, a bichon frise, who aptly looks like a cotton ball; a cat named Kitty; and Rusty the guinea pig."

Life as a student at Glenbard West: "Oh, I was involved in everything, it seemed: student government, music, cross-country, track and basketball. I know I was a better runner than basketball player, but I just loved basketball."

Favorite movie dealing with high school or teaching: "I've always loved 'Dead Poets Society' because it deals with the relationships teachers can build with kids that expand beyond the classroom. That's why I became a teacher in the first place. I wanted to change the world."

Inspirations: "I am always exploring the teachings of different religions, wisdom and philosophies. I take a little something from each of those and incorporate them into my own life."

Fun fact: "I love vacationing on the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada. I take my sons every summer, but only one at a time and when they are at the right age, because it's physically a very demanding trip. One year, my son and I were sleeping in our tent and I heard a noise I thought was Velcro, but it was a bear who had ripped into our tent looking for food. Luckily he just moved on and we were good about not keeping food in the tent. So it makes for a good story."