The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen Correspondent
Nine teachers at Illini West High School took advantage of a two-day Teacher Academy for new teachers, conducted by Principal Scott Schneider.
Schneider began the academy when he came to IW to help new staff with good teaching practices in general and teaching at Illini West in particular. Not all who attended are first year teachers. Some took the academy last year.
"I am so excited to have all of them on board," Schneider said. "We discussed a multitude of processes involved in becoming a good teacher."
Schneider explained the academy in his report for the Illini West High School board meeting June 20.
The sessions covered topics such as daily objectives, classroom procedures, start of class, classroom assessments, guided practice, classroom management and more. Schneider used hands on activities, demonstrations by teachers and group work during the sessions.
"All left with a plan of action for improving how to present lessons, knowing procedures and making students more productive," said Schneider.
The board approved Laura Landa as an English teacher for second semester of the 2018-2019 year. Landa will be student teaching at Illini West during fall semester.
Dr. Elaine Dion will fill the English position during the fall semester, with the vacancy left by Kevin Peel.
In other personnel action, the board accepted the resignations of Rod Pence, head softball coach;
John Artman, head boys track coach; and Robert Eaton, assistant boys basketball coach.
The following coaching assignments were approved:
Zak Huston, head baseball; Tyler Walker and Luke Burling, assistant baseball; Danielle Gronewold, head girls track; Dakota Flesner, assistant girls track; Dave Peacock, assistant boys track; Steve Wood and Ryan Bliss, assistant girls softball; Christine Murphy, head golf;
Shane Murphy and Harold Northup, assistant volunteer golf; Dalton Hoover, assistant boys basketball; Justin Ellis, assistant football;
Nick Klein, Landon McKeowen, Zak Huston, Jon Shumaker and Chad Boyer, volunteer assistant football.
Before the meeting began, the board held a hearing to amend the budget.
The hearing was to include grant funds that had been received during the year.
These grants must be approved into the budget to be spent for the district. The board approved the amended FY 2018 budget.
In other business, the board: