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Chief School Business Official < Back CHRISTI TYLER Chief School Business Official Previous Next

Professional Learning Specialist VANESSA WILLIAMS-JOHNSON VANESSA WILLIAMS-JOHNSON < Back VANESSA WILLIAMS-JOHNSON More about Vanessa Professional Learning Specialist Vanessa Williams Johnson is a veteran educational leader with 34 years of service in Chicago Public Schools. Her leadership experience spans over two decades, including roles as Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and Principal. During her tenure as a principal, she led the development of instructional systems, strengthened school culture, and built leadership capacity across her teams. She has mentored resident principals and coached first-year principals, supporting their transition into effective school leadership through practical, experience-based guidance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Arts from Saint Xavier University. In her current work, she partners with leadership teams at multiple levels to strengthen coherence across systems. She supports leaders in identifying their school’s problem of practice, aligning priorities to instructional moves, and ensuring that plans translate into consistent classroom implementation. Her work centers on building clarity, alignment, and sustained follow-through so that improvement efforts are not only initiated, but maintained over time. She enjoys traveling, especially family trips, and maintains a special connection to her hometown of New Orleans. vwilliamsjohnson@west40.org Previous Next

10 - 10:30 AM < Back Is Your School or District Ready for Behavioral Health Team (BHT)? 3/4/25 10 - 10:30 AM Behavior Health Teams (BHT) are an important component of a district's MTSS process.Come to this readiness session to see if you know the components you will need to implement a successful team. Register Here Previous Next

Professional Learning Specialist ANNA MAE GRAMS-PULLAPALLY ANNA MAE GRAMS-PULLAPALLY < Back ANNA MAE GRAMS-PULLAPALLY More about Anna Mae Professional Learning Specialist Anna Mae Grams-Pullappally is a Professional Learning Specialist at West40, where she partners with schools and districts on continuous improvement and trains leaders to effectively implement teacher evaluation systems. She specializes in coaching, mentoring, and equipping leaders to design professional learning that is engaging, outcomes-driven, and reflective. With more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, school leader, and leadership specialist, Anna Mae brings deep expertise in facilitation, adult learning, and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. Her commitment to education is underscored by a strong belief in the power of collaboration to foster environments where leaders, teachers, and students can thrive together, driving continuous improvement across schools. agramspullapally@west40.org Previous Next

9:00 - 1:00 < Back Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Schools (CBITS) 9/11, 9/12, & 9/13/2024 CLOSED 9:00 - 1:00 CBITS is a 10-week, evidence-based program for students in grades 4-12 that helps them process trauma and develop coping skills. The program includes 1-3 individual sessions and covers trauma reactions, relaxation techniques, social problem-solving, challenging negative thoughts, and processing trauma and grief. Register Here Previous Next

Director of Educational Support and Advocacy < Back FRANK GIOSA Director of Educational Support and Advocacy Previous Next

Educator Licensure Specialist < Back SHARON BALDERAS Educator Licensure Specialist sbalderas@west40.org Sharon Balderas is an Educator Licensure Specialist with 25 years of experience serving teachers, administrators, school support personnel, substitute teachers and paraprofessionals in the state of Illinois. Sharon is recognized in West Suburban Cook County and throughout the state of Illinois as a trusted source of information and has a wealth of knowledge in the educator licensure field. She is always happy to assist. Sharon enjoys baking, spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren's sporting events. Previous Next

10 - 10:30 AM < Back Is Your School or District Ready for a Behavioral Health Team (BHT)? 12/12/24 10 - 10:30 AM Behavior Health Teams (BHT) are an important component of a district's MTSS process.Come to this readiness session to see if you know the components you will need to implement a successful team. Register Here Previous Next

< Back Belonging for All Facilitated By: West40, Dr. Kennedi Strickland Dixon, Dr. Julie Morris & Peoria ROE#48 Sonya Pacey Meeting Dates: 4th Thursday of every month (Hybrid), 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM West40 is committed to excellence in education for all children in our schools. The Belonging for All Network is a space for leaders in the area to share ideas, offer perspective, research, and converse together to explore topics and areas relevant to their responsibilities. Come learn and brainstorm around challenges with your colleagues who share your role and grow your network of people, techniques, and resources around this timely and necessary work. If you would like to be added to the listserv and receive more information, please fill out this form . Previous Next

Data Scientist DR. BEN DITKOWSKY DR. BEN DITKOWSKY < Back DR. BEN DITKOWSKY More about Ben Data Scientist Ben specializes in using data to improve teaching and learning. He believes proper use and analysis of data can equip educators with better and well-informed decisions that affect student learning. bditkowsky@west40.org Previous Next

Professional Learning Specialist DAWN DOLBY DAWN DOLBY < Back DAWN DOLBY More about Dawn Professional Learning Specialist Coming Soon ddolby@west40.org Previous Next

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