Elementary Principal Strives To Inspire Others To Reach Their Dreams
Jennifer Tallitsch is an elementary principal in Elgin School District U-46 in Elgin IL. She holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Jennifer has had a variety of experiences working in the education field. She worked in a summer migrant education program for 18 years starting out as a para-professional, then teacher and moving up to the director position.
Jennifer obtained a teaching position in U-46 and taught there for seven years. She left U-46 and worked at Belvidere School District for three years as an assistant principal before deciding to come back to U-46, and obtained the position of school principal. She has held the principal position for five years and she shares her plethora of experiences in her role as an elementary principal.
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"As a principal my first focus of work is to provide a positive learning environment for students. This is done through collaboration with all stakeholders, students, teachers, parents, community members and district support services. We work on the best instructional methods, aligning the standards to create engaging lessons, and working to meet the students social emotional needs."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"I enjoy the time I get to spend talking with students. Hearing about what they are learning, problem solving with them, and learning about what their dreams are in life. The more I learn about the students, the more it helps to shape the goals for our school with parents and teachers."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"My education from Northern Illinois University helped me to understand the different roles I would need to play. The work that I did in my internship helped me to apply what I was learning in the educational leadership classes. Even with the knowledge there are still many things you learn and grow from in the position."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"It is important to know that while a position like this is not always easy work, it is good and rewarding work. Seeing the growth in the people you work with, the students you spend time educating academically and socially provides inspiration to me each day. As I reflect on how I got myself to this career, I see that it was because of the educators that affected my life. I hope as an educational leader I am able to inspire those I interact with each day to reach for their dreams."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner living in Chicago, Illinois. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of Chicago, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
