Dr. Shernita Mays Honored for Leading Illinois School of Park Forest to Earn ISBE ’s Highest Designation

 

Dr. Shernita Mays Honored for Leading Illinois School of Park Forest to Earn ISBE ’s Highest Designation

RICHTON PARK, Ill. -- Words that began with the letter, E, rang out in Southland College Prep’s Fieldhouse during a rousing recent celebration to honor Dr. Shernita Mays, principal of Matteson District 162’s Illinois School.

“We’re gathered to honor an educator whose experience, energy and focus on excellence has brought to her school the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest designation—exemplary,” announced Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, superintendent of Matteson District 162.

Parents, students, civic leaders, District school board members, fellow principals, friends, family, and the entire staff of the Illinois School were enthusiastic in their praise of Dr. Mays’ accomplishments for the K-8 school, which she has led for the past four years.

An experienced educator for 36 years, Dr. Mays has taught in the public and private sectors at the elementary, high school and university levels. She has served as a teacher, assistant and associate principal and a principal of several schools.

Dr. Mays earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education at Eastern Illinois University where she was president of the Black Student Union and president of the Presidential Search Committee. She received a master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University and a Ph.D. in counseling from Jacksonville Theological School.

Jeffrey Johnson, vice president of the Matteson District 162 Board, put the Illinois School’s honor in perspective.

“Of the 3,168 public elementary schools in the state of Illinois, only 303, some 10 percent, earned the top designation of exemplary and of those K-8 schools, 23 are from the Chicago metropolitan area but only one represented the south suburbs of Chicago—Illinois School,” he said.

Noting that “excellence is the expectation,” in Matteson District 162, Johnson cited many of Dr. Mays’ initiatives that contribute to the Illinois School’s ability to help its students attain high achievements. Among those Johnson noted are a Book Vending project which rewards students for good behavior with ‘golden coins’ to acquire books for their home library.

Dr. Mays also encourages her students to participate in numerous community projects, such as the Walk of Hope at a community Cancer Support Center and collecting food and clothing for groups in need, Johnson said.

Local civic leaders, including Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin (D. 38th), Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold and Anthony Burton, Administrator of the Village of Matteson Illinois, presented Dr. Mays with resolutions passed by their respective organizations.

Former longtime Illinois School principal, Dr. Carl Cogar, now the District’s Director of Fine Arts and Brenda Calvin, principal of O. W. Huth School, representing the District’s other four principals, spoke about Dr. Mays’ high energy, innovative approaches to education and her tenacious spirit which helped set the stage for the exemplary designation.

“My passion has always been children. I believe that all children can learn but it is important that they all feel safe, loved, and secure,” said Dr. Mays.

“At Illinois School, we make every effort to ensure that learning is explorative, creative and innovative,” Dr. Mays said.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as principal of the Illinois School as it earns the Illinois State Board of Education’s highest designation of exemplary,” Dr. Mays said. “This should be a career goal for every principal. I am grateful to the Illinois School faculty, teachers, our kitchen and maintenance staff, our families and most importantly, my students.”

Dr. Mays attributed Illinois School’s success to having a school-wide approach to teaching and learning that involves all staff and parents.

“It’s a culture of high expectations that include work ethics and behavior.” she said.

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