Libertyville School District 70 Honors Cultural Center's Director
Libertyville School District 70 is honoring Amy Williams, executive director of the David Alder Music & Arts Center, as this year's District 70 Character & Leadership Award recipient.
Williams, a Libertyville resident who raised her children in District 70 schools, was an active parent volunteer and worked as a substitute teacher, was nominated by the Character Counts Committee comprised of District 70 teachers. The distinguished Character & Leadership Award is the only award District 70 bestows on a community member or group in appreciation for their "honor of exemplary character, leadership, and service."
The award was designed by Supt. Dr. Guy Schumacher and is given with appreciation by the Board of Education, administration, and staff. District 70 also honors an employee with the award later in the school year.
Williams, who began at the David Adler Music & Arts Center eight years ago as an administrative assistant, was presented with the award at a Monday night Board of Education meeting.
"I am humbled and honored to be given this award," said Williams in accepting the award. "I am truly thankful to live and work in such a wonderful community."
In presenting the award, Dale List, Character Counts Committee Coordinator and Rockland kindergarten teacher, said, "We are proud to recognize Amy Williams with a Libertyville School District 70 Award of Character, and Leadership." Dale List.
District 70's Supt. Guy Schumacher said Williams was a natural choice for the award.
"With a commitment to the community, the David Adler Music & Arts Center serves to educate, promote, and preserve the arts," Supt. Schumacher said of the award honoring Williams. "Through Amy's leadership, the David Adler Music & Arts Center has become strong in its dedication to promoting music and the arts as an integral part of everyday life. Its year-round activities are designed to foster critical thinking and interpretation, participation, entertainment, and achievement in music and the arts for the people of Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
"At the entrance to several acres of the community's beautiful Adler Park, and nestled next door to Libertyville School District 70's quaint Adler Park School, the David Adler Music & Arts Center brings vibrant energy to the historic home of architect David Adler. The home establishes the base of the Center's activities and offers a visual image of the harmony between music, the arts, and daily life. In the past several years, Amy has assisted in growing the organization into a vibrantly active and thriving establishment, committed to instilling the values of music and art within the community and working closely with local officials and Libertyville School District 70 to bridge a relationship and create profound educational programming. From summer camp for children to student art exhibits, to a holiday showcase featuring student performers, to serving as a member of the Partners for Excellence in Education, Amy has become a friendly and familiar face to many throughout Libertyville School District 70."
William's connection to District 70 includes having been an active volunteer in the schools, serving on the Parent Curriculum Advisory Council and on the board of the Libertyville High School Fine Arts Foundation. Since transitioning to the executive director position in January 2013, Williams swiftly spearheaded an update to what is now featured as a well-defined and informative website, shown oversight to a visionary platform of the Center's recently developed five-year Strategic Plan, engaged a cohort of dedicated professionals to join and support responsibilities as the Center's Board of Directors, structured a board retreat, integrated village governance into the DAMAC fold, promoted an integration of student art through collaboration with various local school districts, initiated a Parent-Tot program utilizing the Regilio Emilia philosophy - whereby strengthening the range of diverse programming, and increased the number of student attendees and featured artists to the exhibition gallery, Schumacher noted. In addition, Williams has worked closely with the Village to design, create, and subsequently further expand the esteemed Libertyville Fine Arts month, highlighting the month of March with music and visually artistic features throughout the community. "Over the years, Amy has also developed numerous successful fundraising events, restructured staff positions and Center personnel, and reduced net loss while amplifying revenues during challenging economic times," he said. "Amy connected with the Libertyville MainStreet organization, invested in a newfound collaborative relationship with local Park District management, attended local leadership summits and sought ways to bring the David Adler Music & Arts Center to the forefront of the community. With increased enrollment and new programs afoot, Amy continues to seek ways to build upon the foundation of the Center, hoping to create an environment that embellishes its role, welcomes and serves as host to local events and proceedings such as community benefits, weddings, and celebrations. Always looking to build upon the success and set goals for the organization, there is no question that, through Amy's positive leadership, spirit of camaraderie, and creative energy she, and the David Adler Music and Arts Center, are well deserving of the Libertyville School District 70 Award of Character and Leadership."