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About Us
Meet Your Superintendent of Schools
From the beginning of her career, Dr. Jane L. Westerhold has focused her attention on her primary passion—the education and welfare of children.
Even as a kindergarten teacher in downstate Illinois, Dr. Westerhold, or Jane, as she likes to be called, dreamed of becoming a superintendent. Although she was prepared and ready to work with very young children, Jane knew that it would take a commitment of teaching and administrative experience, coupled with advanced study, to reach the pinnacle of her profession—the superintendency.
 Her path towards leadership began as a very young child in Staunton, Illinois, and was no doubt influenced by her family. It has been noted by her mother, Dorothy Beyer, that Jane exhibited the ability to organize and solve problems from the time she was very young. When faced with a substitute teacher who could not play The Star Spangled Banner on the piano, Jane volunteered to play using her thumb so her kindergarten classmates could sing. The ability to juggle a very active social calendar, while maintaining strong grades and leading several groups, continued as a high school and college student. She played French horn and trumpet in the band, danced with a group that performed during basketball halftimes, waitressed at a local restaurant and taught music while in high school. During college she was active in her sorority and served as president of the Panhellenic Association.
Another incident that influenced her career choice took place as an elementary student. A negative situation with an adult cafeteria worker set the stage for Jane's respectful approach to working with students, parents and staff. Normally, Jane would go home every day for lunch where her beloved grandmother cooked her favorites. But, on the days that chili was served she would join her classmates in the cafeteria. One day Jane accidentally spilled her chili and was chastised in front of everyone by an adult. She knew instantly that she would never make anyone feel belittled or small, no matter what the situation. She loves to share this anecdote when talking to new teachers and staff about their relationships with students. A sign displayed in her office reminds visitors "Because Nice Matters."
Another reminder of her past is a large brass school bell that is proudly displayed on the bookshelf in her office. As a young principal in the Worden School District, she used the old bell to signal the beginning and end of her students' days. Unheard of in the seventies, Jane was only 26 years old, when appointed to the principalship. She climbed the administrative ladder by serving as the Assistant Principal of Edwardsville High School and Principal of Glen Carbon School. A former Edwardsville superintendent, Allen McCowan, confirms that she was an administrator that could visualize the big picture, "Jane had the wonderful skill of being a thoughtful listener, grasping every detail presented, while drawing conclusions that benefited students. She was never self-serving."
After relocating to the Schaumburg area, Jane served as the principal of Frederick Nerge School in School District 54. While there, she implemented the first peer mediation/conflict resolution program, restructured delivery of services for special needs students, mentored new principals and served on the Board of Education Budget Committee. Jane also initiated and implemented multi-cultural programs. She continued her professional advancement by becoming a district-level director. As a director, Jane administered the before and after school childcare program, communicated new laws and legislation to the Board of Education, chaired networking committee and directed the school district's educational foundation.
Continuing in her pursuit of best practices for students, Jane moved to Community Unit School District 118. While in Wauconda she directed the curriculum and instruction staff, developed the learning technology program, supervised all English Language Learners, Reading Recovery, gifted education and all Title programs. Jane was also responsible for grant writing and grant management.
Jane's professional career was further enriched when recruited and hired by Valley View Community School District 365 to serve as the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services for its 17,000 students. Her responsibilities included directing, supervising and evaluating the areas of curriculum and instruction, assessment, special education, bilingual education, instructional technology, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), gifted education, professional development, mentoring/induction and state/federal grants.
Laurie McIntyre, Associate Superintendent for North Shore School District, has known Jane since they worked together as principals in Edwardsville. McIntyre predicts that the same focused, bright and determined person that she worked with many years ago, is more determined today in focusing on instruction and what is best for children. McIntyre also confirms that Jane is a dynamic instructional leader, "Jane has wanted to work for District 62 since hearing that the superintendent's position was available. She knows what is needed to make a difference in the achievement levels of all District 62 students."
Just as her family shaped her early years in education as a student and teacher, Jane's husband and daughter continue to influence her goals and aspirations. Husband Ken Cull has served as the superintendent of the Itasca School District since 2001. His experiences as a superintendent, as well as a former teacher, principal and human resource administrator have given Jane a very realistic look at what the superintendency involves. Her daughter, Emily, is a student at the University of Illinois in the school of accountancy. Jane is quick to recount stories of Emily's classroom and personal achievements and one can sense the special bond that mother and daughter share.
Jane began her duties as Superintendent of Schools on July 5, 2005. In this position, she is responsible for:
- Administration of approximately $60 million that operates and staffs eight K-5 schools, two 6-8 buildings and one K-8 community school educating almost 5,000 students
- Maintaining and improving organizational and operational effectiveness to maximize opportunities for student learning and achievement. This will be achieved by:
- planning, scheduling and facilitating an annual retreat for all board members
- providing leadership and counsel to the Board of Education regarding fiscal operations
- creating and adjusting procedures, forms and practices to monitor and improve district delivery of services
- Maintaining and improving student learning and achievement. This will be achieved by:
- reviewing and assessing the results of district and state administered standardized tests
- coordinating the development of state-mandated School Improvement Plans focusing on continuous improvement
- reviewing plan to measure and improved student achievement and recommend improvements
- Maintaining and expanding quality relations with District 62 community for improvement of student achievement. This will be achieved by:
- reviewing plan for parent and public input to improve district programs
- establishing personal dialogue with parents, community leaders and organizations, government leaders, and regional and state educational leader
- Continuing to provide safe, respectful, inviting learning environments. This will be achieved by:
- reviewing district safety/crisis plan and recommend improvements
- establishing processes to assess and improve school climate
Education
Doctorate of Education, Loyola University Chicago
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Master of Science, Southern Illinois University
Educational Administration
Bachelor of Science, Southern Illinois University
Elementary Education
Professional and Community Affiliations
- American Association of School Administrators
- Illinois Association of School Administrators
- Superintendents Round Table/Study Club of Northern Illinois
- Horace Mann League
- Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
- Illinois Quality Academy Planning Committee (publicity chair) 2002
- Title Directors Association
- Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd.
- Phi Delta Kappa
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