Director of Professional Learning DR. SONYA SPAULDING DR. SONYA SPAULDING < Back DR. SONYA SPAULDING More about Sonya Director of Professional Learning Dr. Sonya Spaulding is a passionate educator and leader whose career has been devoted to uplifting schools and communities. She has served in diverse roles; from substitute and classroom teacher to technology supervisor, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent — always centering the belief that every student and educator deserves an environment where they can thrive . With a gift for cultivating positive school cultures, Sonya empowers leaders and teachers to grow through supportive coaching and meaningful collaboration. She is deeply skilled in the Danielson Framework for Teaching (2022) and Evaluator PLTs, guiding administrators to build trust, calibrate evaluation practices, and foster professional growth cycles that inspire rather than simply assess. Her passion for data is rooted in service: she transforms numbers into stories that illuminate strengths and opportunities. Through her “data digs” in the 5Essentials framework, she helps schools see what is possible, encouraging courageous conversations that lead to actionable change. An experienced facilitator and curriculum designer, Dr. Spaulding regularly leads Illinois Administrator Academies , including: AA4050 (Principal Evaluation) and AA2001 (Teacher Evaluation) Cultural Competence & Implicit Bias (AA4172) Data Digs: 5Essentials for Leading Change (AA4186) Understanding and Applying the Updated Framework: Danielson 2022 (AA4233) At the heart of her work is a commitment to listening, inspiring, and equipping educators to serve with confidence, clarity, and compassion. She believes that sustainable change in schools begins with empowered leaders who model resilience, equity, and hope for the communities they serve. sspaulding@west40.org Previous Next

Professional Learning Specialist MICHAEL CAMPBELL MICHAEL CAMPBELL < Back MICHAEL CAMPBELL More about Michael Professional Learning Specialist Michael Campbell has served urban public and charter school communities for over 20 years. With a career spanning roles as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, District Mathematics Coordinator, and Principal for both elementary and high schools, Michael brings a research-based, foundational understanding of the developmental learning process to his work. Combining his educational expertise with a 14-year management background at PepsiCo and TW Services, Michael partners with school leaders to create high-efficiency systems. He focuses on integrating content areas and enrichment courses with Common Core Standards to maximize student engagement and achievement. " When I am in another element beyond my passion for teaching and learning, I enjoy the various aspects of carpentry and design, which allows wood to become my canvas for building other structures...." mcampbell@west40.org Previous Next

Student Success Is In The Hands Of Us All Working alongside educators, administrators, families and communities, we give them a chance to succeed. WEST40 SERVES We also provide support services as a fiscal agent to Early Choices and Philip J Rock Center and School as well as statewide legislative support. Some of our programs and services extend to North Cook County and communities outside of West Cook. DISTRICTS BELLWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 88 BERKELEY DISTRICT 87 BERWYN NORTH DISTRICT 98 BERWYN SOUTH DISTRICT 100 BROOKFIELD - LAGRANGE PARK DISTRICT 95 CICERO SCHOOL DISTRICT 99 ELMWOOD PARK DISTRICT 401 FOREST PARK DISTRICT 91 FRANKLIN PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 84 HILLSIDE DISTRICT 93 J. S. MORTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 201 KOMAREK SCHOOL DISTRICT 94 LA GRANGE HIGHLANDS SCHOOLS DISTRICT 106 LA GRANGE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT 102 LA GRANGE SOUTH SCHOOL DISTRICT 105 LEYDEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 212 LINDOP DISTRICT 92 LYONS SCHOOL DISTRICT 103 LYONS TOWNSHIP DISTRICT 204 West Cook County 38 districts and 3 co-ops 152 schools 90,000+ students MANNHEIM SCHOOL DISTRICT 83 MAYWOOD-MELROSE PARK-BROADVIEW DISTRICT 89 NORRIDGE DISTRICT 80 OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST DISTRICT 200 OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 PENNOYER DISTRICT 79 PLEASANTDALE DISTRICT 107 PROVISO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 209 RHODES SCHOOL DISTRICT 84.5 RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 234 RIVER FOREST SCHOOL DISTRICT 90 RIVER GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT 85.5 RIVERSIDE | BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP DISTRICT 208 RIVERSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT 96 ROSEMONT DISTRICT 78 SCHILLER PARK DISTRICT 81 UNION RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT 86 WESTCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT 92.5 WESTERN SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 101 CO-OPs: LADSE PAEC LASEC BY THE NUMBERS See the annual results of our advocacy, service, and legislative funding efforts. LEARN MORE HEAR THEIR STORIES Explore powerful stories of redemption, success, and creativity. Learn how West40 is affecting lives in our communities. LEARN MORE

Remote School A safe and diverse learning environment where students feel loved, accepted, and encouraged to reach their full potential by attaining the skills to be emotionally and academically successful individuals. HOW WE HELP Individualized wrap-around support for the students with Academic, Social-Emotional, Behavioral and Attendance needs in West Cook and surrounding regions. WHO WE SERVE Open to all 6th-12th grade students who are medically or emotionally fragile throughout 140 school districts in Cook County, Illinois. With infused advocacy programs, small class sizes, and engaging enrichment opportunities, we support our students' educational, social, and emotional needs at the comfort of their own homes. LEARN MORE ON REMOTE SCHOOL SITE Here our student has thrived and achieved goals for himself that he struggled to believe were possible. He is excelling academically, emotionally and mentally. Our gratitude for West40 and all of its staff is immeasurable. " Parent - Middle School Student BY THE NUMBERS IN 2025-26 82 Total Students Served 617+ C ourses Completed & Passed 100% Eligible Seniors Graduated (19/19) 90 Min./Day Advocate Facilitated SEL Aligned Curriculum 340 Synchronous Min./Day with Teachers and Advocates 23 Partners in West, North, and South Cook County Districts HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. KRISTEN PARSELL Director of Remote School kparsell@west40.org

Administrator Academies The following link will provide the Summary of Teacher and Principal Performance Evaluation Qualifications. Teacher and Principal Evaluator Qualifications AA LISTING CALENDAR VIEW September 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 30 31 1 Day (1/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 2 Day (2/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 3 Day (3/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +1 more 4 Day (4/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +1 more 5 Day (5/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 6 Day (6/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 7 Day (7/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 8 Day (8/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 9 Day (9/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 10 Day (10/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +1 more 11 Day (11/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 12 Day (12/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 13 Day (13/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 14 Day (14/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 15 Day (15/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 16 Day (16/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 17 Day (17/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +3 more 18 Day (18/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 19 Day (19/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 20 Day (20/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 21 Day (21/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 22 Day (22/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 23 Day (23/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +1 more 24 Day (24/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +1 more 25 Day (25/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success +1 more 26 Day (26/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 27 Day (27/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 28 Day (28/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 29 Day (29/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 30 Day (30/30) AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success 1 8:30 AM AA4106: Enhancing Leadership Through Brief Effective Walkthroughs and Feedback 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:00 AM NWEA Bites & Insights 8 9:00 AM AA4176: Ready, Set, Retire: A Personal & Professional Journey for School Administrators 9 10 AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success Sep 01, 2026, 8:00 AM – Sep 30, 2026, 12:00 PM Network Location will be shared via email More info REGISTER AA4114: Using Student Growth Data from Diverse Population in Teacher Performance Evaluation Sep 10, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info Details 9/17 & 9/18/2026 - AA2001: Illinois Performance Evaluation - Teacher Evaluation Training (2 Days) Sep 17, 2026, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model (Revised 2023) Sep 17, 2026, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4240: Leading for Multilingual Success: Ensuring Excellence for All Learners Sep 24, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4106: Enhancing Leadership Through Brief Effective Walkthroughs and Feedback Oct 01, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4176: Ready, Set, Retire: A Personal & Professional Journey for School Administrators Oct 08, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4020 MTSS: A Systems Approach Begins with Strong Leadership Oct 20, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM West40 ISC #2 (Door 8N), 415 Lexington St, Maywood, IL 60153, USA More info REGISTER AA1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model (Revised 2023) Oct 22, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA3000: Illinois Performance Evaluation Retraining - New Version 2026 Oct 29, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM VirtualEvent More info REGISTER AA1451: Teacher Evaluator Competency Skill building for Pre-Qualified Teacher Evaluators, Domains 1 and 4 Nov 05, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA1452: Teacher Evaluator Competency Skill Building for Pre-Qualified Teacher Evaluators, Prof Dev Plan Nov 09, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4252: Pondering Policy: A Framework for AI Readiness Nov 09, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4174: Bridging PreK-2 Instruction: Best Practices for Early Learning Administrators Nov 13, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA1448: Teacher Evaluator Competency Skill Building for Pre-Qualified Evaluators: Danielson Domains 2 & 3 Dec 07, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4226: How You Can Use AI to Advance Your Equity Work & Manage Impact Dec 08, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4106: Enhancing Leadership Through Brief Effective Walkthroughs and Feedback Dec 10, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA4240: Leading for Multilingual Success: Ensuring Excellence for All Learners Dec 11, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER 988: Interpersonal & Team Communication Skills for School Administrators Dec 16, 2026, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER AA1801: Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model (Revised 2023) Jan 12, 2027, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM Virtual Event More info REGISTER Load More Strengthen leadership through purposeful professional networking. JOIN US AA4175: Building Strategic Networks for School Leadership Success HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAM plteam@west40.org MEET THE TEAM

GRANTS Identify potential funding sources to support your students, teachers, and communities. Grants can provide for amazing opportunities but also require a great deal of project management to maximize their benefit. Our hope is that this site will help to shed some light into the grants abyss and make the entire process seem a bit less overwhelming. CURRENT PARTNERS GENERAL SUPPORT INVOICES Google Form When ready to submit approved Fiscal Year 2026 grant expenses, please use the link above for invoices and supporting documentation covering July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. REQUEST FORM Google Form Need support bringing your vision to life? West40 is here to help! If you are seeking grant funding to expand programs, services, or opportunities across your school district or organization, submit your request above to explore how we may be able to partner with you for FY27. HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. FILL OUT THIS FORM

Professional Learning Specialist DR. JULIE MORRIS DR. JULIE MORRIS < Back DR. JULIE MORRIS More about Julie Professional Learning Specialist Dr. Julie Morris brings over 38 years of distinguished service in public education across Illinois, including 15 years as Superintendent of Harlem School District #122. She now serves as an Executive Coach and Professional Learning Specialist at West40 ISC #2 in the western suburbs of Chicago. A strategic, equity-centered leader, Dr. Morris is widely recognized for her expertise in systems design, instructional leadership, and adult learning, with a proven ability to translate vision into actionable, sustainable change. Her coaching approach emphasizes whole-child and equity-centered outcomes, helping leaders align strategic planning with student success while fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement and shared ownership among families, educators, and community partners. As a process-oriented thought partner, Dr. Morris empowers district and school leaders to build capacity, embed strategic long-range goals into daily practice, and move from big-picture vision to practical, measurable implementation—making her an invaluable partner for school systems pursuing meaningful, long-term improvement. jmorris@west40.org Previous Next

40 Stories ALL PHOTOJOURNAL PODCAST WRITTEN Family Nights: A West40 Tradition Having a trusted advocate at school to help you focus on attendance and academics can help many students achieve success and walk the stage at graduation. And sharing those relationships with family members during an evening of fun is something West40 takes pride in through its Family Nights. West40’s ALOP teams from the Proviso, Morton, Southern Tier, and Northern Tier areas organize these end-of-year events that bring together students, families, and advocates. It’s not abo Jose's Journey - A West40 Student Spotlight West40 Seniors Plus student Jose Barragan is making strides in the classroom and on the field for the Proviso East High School football and soccer teams. Jose participated in West40's Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) before joining Seniors Plus. He said he is in Seniors Plus to catch up on his credits so he can graduate with his class in May. "West40 has helped me a lot. It changed me as a person. I could always have someone to talk to now. They’re always the West40 Grad Shares How Internship Program Created Opportunities West40 walks alongside students so they can succeed in the classroom and beyond. Recent graduate Melany, who participated in the West40 employability program, describes how working and being trained in an IT position has impacted her life. Remote School Student Describes Her Journey to Graduation Sammi Smith is about to cross the finish line as a graduate of the West40 Remote School and a recipient of a highly coveted student... Students Share Their ALOP Success Stories I have more confidence. I am getting better grades. I have less stress. We often hear that type of great news from students who... West40 Partners with Manufacturer to Open Doors for Students West40 believes that every student deserves a chance for success in the classroom and in the future. In fact, a goal of West40’s new... Stepping Stones: Aubrey's Graphic Design Journey A West40 Safe School student is already leaving her mark as an artist with her creations on display for hundreds of people to see at a... Supporting a Young Entrepreneur's Dream Antony Sanchez arrived at West40's Heart 2 Heart pantry in Westchester with his mother and younger brother earlier this month expecting... Opening More Doors - Sharing Truant Student Success Stories There could be any number of reasons why a student routinely does not attend school. Truancy impacts students in different ways. But with... Expanding West40's Food Program Providing nutritional support is one of the many ways West40 remains committed to being what our communities need. And now our food... THE RIGHT FIT - OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH GRANTS How new uniforms can make a lasting impact for young athletes New and sharp-looking uniforms can make sports teams feel a sense of pride.... RESTORATIVE PRACTICES: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN LIFE In recent years, there has been a shift away from traditional school discipline, like detention and suspension, toward restorative... PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLIES: A WEST40 SPRING TRADITION It’s an annual West40 tradition that transforms and flies away to the delight of students across West Cook County. Each year, West40... GETTING CREATIVE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN A REMOTE SETTING In the Words of Vicki Dimitrakakos, Remote School Lead Advocate As the Lead Advocate in the Remote School, it is important to ensure that... HOMEGROWN PRINCIPAL AIMS TO INSPIRE FUTURE LEADERS The job listing for principal at Mannheim Middle School in District 83 immediately drew the attention of former student Tom Herion. “I... HEART 2 HEART STORE OPENS Prices for nearly all consumer goods are at record highs as the country grapples with inflation, but West40 is offering relief to its... KEEPING KIDS INSPIRED DURING THE PANDEMIC As told by Vince Harper and Angela Horton, West40 Safe Schools teachers “As the COVID-19 pandemic really set in in early March, things... SEEING 'KIDS LIKE US' As told by Karen Tiemann, Program Director of the West40 Safe Schools “In the 1990s, I was a U.S. history teacher and I was working at a... MOVING A DISTRICT IN A NEW DIRECTION As told by Dr. Mary Mycyk, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Anthony Grazzini, Director of Grants and... THE VALUE OF NEVER GIVING UP As told by Dion Flowers, former West40 Safe Schools student “The biggest lessons in my life are the ones I learned at the West40 Safe... HOW MENTORS CHANGED MY LIFE As told by Frank Giosa, Principal of the West40 Safe Schools Middle School “It’s funny that I’m in education, because where I grew up, there was not a lot of emphasis on school. But because of the mentors I’ve had throughout my life, I’ve developed a passion for service. I’m from a tight-knit, blue collar neighborhood in Philadelphia where ‘quick money’ was the expectation. People looked for quick payoffs from different jobs, trying to get by. Growing up, I wasn’t exposed to FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS As told by: Karen Tiemann, president of ICEARY; Dr. Mark Klaisner, former president of ICEARY; Ben Lewis, ICEARY member; John Milosovic,... A SON TRANSFORMED BY THE SAFE SCHOOLS As told by Bill Stewart, parent of a West40 Safe School student “Before my son Michael went to a West40 Safe School, he went to a middle... BUILDING A NEW BELIEF SYSTEM As told by Joshua Easter, Charles Carter and Cody K. Cotton, West40 mentors and founders of A Greater Good Foundation “Let’s say you have... MEASURING OUR IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS As told by Renee Makris, Area Director of Leyden ALOP Programs “Growing up, I never thought I’d be in education. If you had told me that... FIGHTING FOR EQUITY IN ILLINOIS SCHOOLS As told by Dr. Mike Popp, Assistant Executive Director of West40 and former school superintendent “When I was a school superintendent, I... FROM STRUGGLING STUDENT TO LOCAL LEADER As told by Maria Rivera, former West40 ALOP student and current college student “I grew up in the U.S., but when I was in first grade, my... TEAMING UP TO HELP TROUBLED TEENS As told by Loreah Boyle, Karina Carbajal and Jimmy Mortillaro, West40 ALOP advocates at Proviso East High School “If a student enters our... THE POWER OF ‘ONE PERSON AT A TIME’ As told by Dr. Mark Klaisner, Executive Director of West40 and President of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of... SUPPLYING HOPE WITH BACKPACK GIVEBACK Anyone who follows the news can see headlines about the rising cost of living: whether that’s an increase in housing costs, food costs or... A FAMILY-FIRST APPROACH TO EDUCATION As told by Fran Pike, West40 ALOP advocate “A lot of organizations talk about treating people like family. But at West40, it’s true. The... A SAFETY NET FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS As told by Phil Salemi, Superintendent of Westchester School District 92.5, and Greg Leban, Principal at Westchester Middle School “When... JUAN'S JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION: PART 2 As told by Juan Silva, former Safe School and ALOP student, current student advocate Read Part 1 of Juan’s story here. “After attending... JUAN’S JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION: PART 1 As told by Juan Silva, former Safe School and ALOP student “I was fine in grade school. Just a normal kid in the neighborhood. But things... HELPING TEEN MOTHERS STAY IN SCHOOL As told by Nancy Debre, West40 Truancy and Pregnancy Services “People see statistics about truancy, but they don’t usually think about... BECOMING THE LIFELINE FOR LOCAL EDUCATORS As told by Sharon Balderas, West40 Education Licensure Specialist “When parents or the general public think about the life of an... AARON EARNS HIS STRIPES As told by Shannon Bidlo, Seniors Plus Coordinator “Aaron started with West40 as a student at our Safe Schools Middle School. He entered... TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY As told by Laura Guzman Lopez, Lead Advocate “When a student at East Leyden High School named Max was first referred to our program, he... SUPPORTING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL GROWTH THROUGH ARTS AND ACTIVITIES Advocating for students means supporting them at school and providing a listening ear. It’s also about organizing activities to keep... A NEW KIND OF CELEBRATION As told by Emily Molson and Pedro Peralta, West40 Seniors Plus Advocates “In the West40 Seniors Plus program, we work with high school seniors who, for whatever reason, weren’t able to graduate. They’re anywhere from 18 to 22 years old and they come to us for help with finishing their education. There’s a steady flow of people that we serve. Some weeks we have two graduates, other times it’s five graduates". During a normal school year, the faculty and staff within a buildi THE NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE LEADERS West40’s goals are audacious. We don’t just want to help students graduate, or just get them back on track. We want to turn each and every student into a leader in their community. We realized that we could instill a sense of leadership by gathering students and their caregivers for a day of motivation and empowerment. And so in partnership with Triton College, the Community Alliance, the alliance’s member organizations, and State Representative Kathleen Willis and her staff, CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 Summer wasn’t quite the same in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country and disrupted almost everything about our lives, including the end of the school year. But at Morton East High School, West40’s ALOP advocates were determined to stay connected to their students and help any way they could. “Ever since schools closed in March, I’ve maintained contact with my students every single week and stayed persistent,” said Juan Silva, a student advocate. “We held THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION What if West40’s approach to teaching at-risk kids could influence the way we teach every student in the state of Illinois? That was the big question we were asking ourselves as we welcomed legislators to the West40 Safe School on a sunny August morning. This Legislative Round Table brought together a wide range of people with a vested interest in making schools better: state legislators, Safe School students, West40 leadership and the leader of the state board of education. DEANDRE MCLAURIN Tim Stafford is joined by student advocate, DeAndre McClaurin, to discuss working with at-risk youth. DeAndre shares the strengths of... Podcast KAREN YOUNG Karen Young discusses the partnership between Woz Ed and West40. Karen joins the podcast to share her experience with Woz Ed and Steve... Podcast STEVEN HUNTER Steven Hunter from the Phoenix Suns shares his partnership with Woz Ed. For this discussion, Steven embraces his love for Proviso... Podcast DR. JENNIFER KELSALL Superintendent for Ridgewood Community High School #234, Jennifer Kelsall, shares her expertise in Education. Dr. Kelsall casts a vision... Podcast DION FLOWERS West40 Regional Safe School alumni, Dion Flowers, revisits his time at the RSSP since graduating. Dion’s interview is uplifting,... Podcast Remote School Student Describes Her Journey to Graduation Sammi Smith is about to cross the finish line as a graduate of the West40 Remote School and a recipient of a highly coveted student... WEST40 NEWS Students Share Their ALOP Success Stories I have more confidence. I am getting better grades. I have less stress. We often hear that type of great news from students who... 40 Stories West40 Partners with Manufacturer to Open Doors for Students West40 believes that every student deserves a chance for success in the classroom and in the future. In fact, a goal of West40’s new... WEST40 NEWS Stepping Stones: Aubrey's Graphic Design Journey A West40 Safe School student is already leaving her mark as an artist with her creations on display for hundreds of people to see at a... WEST40 NEWS Expanding West40's Food Program Providing nutritional support is one of the many ways West40 remains committed to being what our communities need. And now our food... 40 Stories THE RIGHT FIT - OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH GRANTS How new uniforms can make a lasting impact for young athletes New and sharp-looking uniforms can make sports teams feel a sense of pride.... Written RESTORATIVE PRACTICES: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN LIFE In recent years, there has been a shift away from traditional school discipline, like detention and suspension, toward restorative... Written PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLIES: A WEST40 SPRING TRADITION It’s an annual West40 tradition that transforms and flies away to the delight of students across West Cook County. Each year, West40... Written GETTING CREATIVE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN A REMOTE SETTING In the Words of Vicki Dimitrakakos, Remote School Lead Advocate As the Lead Advocate in the Remote School, it is important to ensure that... Written HOMEGROWN PRINCIPAL AIMS TO INSPIRE FUTURE LEADERS The job listing for principal at Mannheim Middle School in District 83 immediately drew the attention of former student Tom Herion. “I... Written HEART 2 HEART STORE OPENS Prices for nearly all consumer goods are at record highs as the country grapples with inflation, but West40 is offering relief to its... Written KEEPING KIDS INSPIRED DURING THE PANDEMIC As told by Vince Harper and Angela Horton, West40 Safe Schools teachers “As the COVID-19 pandemic really set in in early March, things... Written SEEING 'KIDS LIKE US' As told by Karen Tiemann, Program Director of the West40 Safe Schools “In the 1990s, I was a U.S. history teacher and I was working at a... Written MOVING A DISTRICT IN A NEW DIRECTION As told by Dr. Mary Mycyk, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Anthony Grazzini, Director of Grants and... Written THE VALUE OF NEVER GIVING UP As told by Dion Flowers, former West40 Safe Schools student “The biggest lessons in my life are the ones I learned at the West40 Safe... Written HOW MENTORS CHANGED MY LIFE As told by Frank Giosa, Principal of the West40 Safe Schools Middle School “It’s funny that I’m in education, because where I grew up, there was not a lot of emphasis on school. But because of the mentors I’ve had throughout my life, I’ve developed a passion for service. I’m from a tight-knit, blue collar neighborhood in Philadelphia where ‘quick money’ was the expectation. People looked for quick payoffs from different jobs, trying to get by. Growing up, I wasn’t exposed to Written FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS As told by: Karen Tiemann, president of ICEARY; Dr. Mark Klaisner, former president of ICEARY; Ben Lewis, ICEARY member; John Milosovic,... Written A SON TRANSFORMED BY THE SAFE SCHOOLS As told by Bill Stewart, parent of a West40 Safe School student “Before my son Michael went to a West40 Safe School, he went to a middle... Written BUILDING A NEW BELIEF SYSTEM As told by Joshua Easter, Charles Carter and Cody K. Cotton, West40 mentors and founders of A Greater Good Foundation “Let’s say you have... Written MEASURING OUR IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS As told by Renee Makris, Area Director of Leyden ALOP Programs “Growing up, I never thought I’d be in education. If you had told me that... Written FIGHTING FOR EQUITY IN ILLINOIS SCHOOLS As told by Dr. Mike Popp, Assistant Executive Director of West40 and former school superintendent “When I was a school superintendent, I... Written FROM STRUGGLING STUDENT TO LOCAL LEADER As told by Maria Rivera, former West40 ALOP student and current college student “I grew up in the U.S., but when I was in first grade, my... Written TEAMING UP TO HELP TROUBLED TEENS As told by Loreah Boyle, Karina Carbajal and Jimmy Mortillaro, West40 ALOP advocates at Proviso East High School “If a student enters our... Written THE POWER OF ‘ONE PERSON AT A TIME’ As told by Dr. Mark Klaisner, Executive Director of West40 and President of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of... Written SUPPLYING HOPE WITH BACKPACK GIVEBACK Anyone who follows the news can see headlines about the rising cost of living: whether that’s an increase in housing costs, food costs or... Written A FAMILY-FIRST APPROACH TO EDUCATION As told by Fran Pike, West40 ALOP advocate “A lot of organizations talk about treating people like family. But at West40, it’s true. The... Written A SAFETY NET FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS As told by Phil Salemi, Superintendent of Westchester School District 92.5, and Greg Leban, Principal at Westchester Middle School “When... Written JUAN'S JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION: PART 2 As told by Juan Silva, former Safe School and ALOP student, current student advocate Read Part 1 of Juan’s story here. “After attending... Written JUAN’S JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION: PART 1 As told by Juan Silva, former Safe School and ALOP student “I was fine in grade school. Just a normal kid in the neighborhood. But things... Written HELPING TEEN MOTHERS STAY IN SCHOOL As told by Nancy Debre, West40 Truancy and Pregnancy Services “People see statistics about truancy, but they don’t usually think about... Written BECOMING THE LIFELINE FOR LOCAL EDUCATORS As told by Sharon Balderas, West40 Education Licensure Specialist “When parents or the general public think about the life of an... Written AARON EARNS HIS STRIPES As told by Shannon Bidlo, Seniors Plus Coordinator “Aaron started with West40 as a student at our Safe Schools Middle School. He entered... Written TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY As told by Laura Guzman Lopez, Lead Advocate “When a student at East Leyden High School named Max was first referred to our program, he... Written SUPPORTING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL GROWTH THROUGH ARTS AND ACTIVITIES Advocating for students means supporting them at school and providing a listening ear. It’s also about organizing activities to keep... PhotoJournals A NEW KIND OF CELEBRATION As told by Emily Molson and Pedro Peralta, West40 Seniors Plus Advocates “In the West40 Seniors Plus program, we work with high school seniors who, for whatever reason, weren’t able to graduate. They’re anywhere from 18 to 22 years old and they come to us for help with finishing their education. There’s a steady flow of people that we serve. Some weeks we have two graduates, other times it’s five graduates". During a normal school year, the faculty and staff within a buildi PhotoJournals THE NEXT GENERATION OF FEMALE LEADERS West40’s goals are audacious. We don’t just want to help students graduate, or just get them back on track. We want to turn each and every student into a leader in their community. We realized that we could instill a sense of leadership by gathering students and their caregivers for a day of motivation and empowerment. And so in partnership with Triton College, the Community Alliance, the alliance’s member organizations, and State Representative Kathleen Willis and her staff, PhotoJournals CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 Summer wasn’t quite the same in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country and disrupted almost everything about our lives, including the end of the school year. But at Morton East High School, West40’s ALOP advocates were determined to stay connected to their students and help any way they could. “Ever since schools closed in March, I’ve maintained contact with my students every single week and stayed persistent,” said Juan Silva, a student advocate. “We held PhotoJournals THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION What if West40’s approach to teaching at-risk kids could influence the way we teach every student in the state of Illinois? That was the big question we were asking ourselves as we welcomed legislators to the West40 Safe School on a sunny August morning. This Legislative Round Table brought together a wide range of people with a vested interest in making schools better: state legislators, Safe School students, West40 leadership and the leader of the state board of education. PhotoJournals GIVING THE GIFT OF HOPE: WEST40 CHRISTMAS BINGO For most kids, the holiday season is filled with magic and wonder. They write wish lists. They daydream about what presents they might receive. They think about the gifts they’ll give to people they love the most. But what about families who can’t afford gifts? What happens to them? For the West40 Safe Schools, those were questions that led to the creation of the “Christmas Bingo” event. At this event, now a beloved annual tradition, Safe School students have the chance to ch PhotoJournals A WEST40 THANKSGIVING School is a place to learn. To improve your knowledge and prepare for a bright future. But it can also be a place where families connect—where they can share something greater together. The West40 ALOP program decided to create that spirit of togetherness by holding a Thanksgiving dinner that invited students, teachers, administrators and families to gather for a meal and mark another year. Parents are usually asked to come to school for routine events—like parent-teacher con PhotoJournals THE CHANGING FACE OF COMPLIANCE For many administrators, the word “compliance” fills them with a sense of dread. They imagine regulators coming into their schools to find infractions, write up reports and threaten them with building closures. From its infancy, the West40 compliance department set out to be different. Their goal is to work with schools as a trusted partner—not an enforcer—to create the safest school environments for students, teachers and staff. It was that mindset that the West40 team carri PhotoJournals

Professional Learning Specialist DIANE SCHOENHEIDER DIANE SCHOENHEIDER < Back DIANE SCHOENHEIDER More about Diane Professional Learning Specialist Diane Schoenheider is a Professional Learning Specialist at West40 with over 30 years of experience in early childhood education. She partners with schools and districts to strengthen instructional practice, support compliance, and advance program quality. A National Board Certified Early Childhood Generalist, she also holds a MEd in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy from National Louis University. Known for her practical, relationship-driven approach, Diane supports educators and leaders alike in creating inclusive, high-quality early learning environments where both staff and children thrive. dschoenheider@west40.org Previous Next

Mandated Training 2024-2025 School Year Mandated Training document from the Illinois State Board of Education. Download Mandated Training PDF

Institutes ALL FORMS RECORDS & REQUIREMENTS Institute Day Application for Approval FY27 32. Google Doc Institute Summary Evaluation Form FY24 34. Download Doc Institute Participant Evaluation Form FY24 33. Download Doc NONE AT THIS TIME Institute Day Application for Approval FY27 32. Google Doc Institute Summary Evaluation Form FY24 34. Download Doc Institute Participant Evaluation Form FY24 33. Download Doc HOW CAN WE HELP? LET'S CONNECT. STEVE BOGREN Chief Comprehensive Educational Services Officer sbogren@west40.org PHILIP ABRAHAM Director of Comprehensive Educational Services pabraham@west40.org

Join Our Family West40 offers job opportunities serving schools and communities in West Suburban Cook County. See if we have the right opportunity for you. WHAT WE VALUE West40 team members serve education through student advocacy, professional development, licensure, safety, and more! We value being the support system our students and district partners can count on. 01. RELATIONSHIPS We forge lasting bonds with each other and with the people in our communities. 02. SAFETY We create safe, welcoming environments where each person can be who they’re meant to be. 03. FUN We look for moments of joy throughout our workday and celebrate them together. WEST40 JOB OPPORTUNITIES ALL ALOP GRANTS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ROE TECHNOLOGY TRUANCY & TEEN PARENT NONE AT THIS TIME NONE AT THIS TIME Behavioral Health Specialist ALOP Teacher Alternative School Educator - Middle School & High School Exploratory Educator NONE AT THIS TIME Student Advocate Social Worker School Counselor NONE AT THIS TIME PE Teacher for our Regional Safe School NONE AT THIS TIME Behavioral Health Specialist AV Technology Services Specialist Social Worker School Counselor PE Teacher for our Regional Safe School Student Advocate ALOP Teacher Alternative School Educator - Middle School & High School Exploratory Educator AV Technology Services Specialist NONE AT THIS TIME NONE AT THIS TIME DISTRICT JOB OPPORTUNITIES BELLWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 88 BERWYN NORTH DISTRICT 98 BROOKFIELD - LAGRANGE PARK DISTRICT 95 ELMWOOD PARK CUSD 401 FRANKLIN PARK SCHOOL DIST. 84 J. S. MORTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 201 LADSE LA GRANGE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT 102 LEYDEN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 212 LYONS SCHOOL DISTRICT 103 MANNHEIM SCHOOL DISTRICT 83 NORRIDGE DISTRICT 80 OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 PENNOYER DISTRICT 79 PROVISO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 209 RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 234 RIVER GROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT 85.5 RIVERSIDE | BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP DISTRICT 208 SCHILLER PARK DISTRICT 81 WESTCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT 92.5 BERKELEY DISTRICT 87 BERWYN SOUTH DISTRICT 100 CICERO SCHOOL DISTRICT 99 FOREST PARK DISTRICT 91 HILLSIDE DISTRICT 93 KOMAREK SCHOOL DISTRICT 94 LA GRANGE HIGHLANDS SCHOOLS DISTRICT 106 LA GRANGE SOUTH SCHOOL DISTRICT 105 LINDOP DISTRICT 92 LYONS TOWNSHIP DISTRICT 204 MAYWOOD-MELROSE PARK-BROADVIEW DISTRICT 89 OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST DISTRICT 200 PAEC (PROVISO AREA FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN) DISTRICT 803 PLEASANTDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT 107 RHODES SCHOOL DISTRICT 84.5 RIVER FOREST SCHOOL DISTRICT 90 RIVERSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT 96 ROSEMONT DISTRICT 78 UNION RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT 86 WESTERN SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT 101