RESOLUTION EXTENDING CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. MICHELLE R. WILLIS
WHEREAS, Dr. Michelle R. Willis, the principal of Frank L. Gillespie Elementary School, was named Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Anthony Beale, Alderman of the 9th Ward, has apprised this august body of the significant recognition bestowed on Dr. Michelle R. Willis; and,
WHEREAS, The award recognizes elementary school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students. Dr. Willis was chosen from a pool of nominees provided by twenty-one regions in the Illinois Principals Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis is a graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Illinois, and she holds Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin, a Master's Degree in the Teaching of Reading, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Chicago State University, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University* Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis began her career with Chicago Public Schools in 1993 as a classroom teacher and served as a reading specialist and assistant principal prior to becoming a principal; and
WHEREAS, Under Dr. Willis' leadership, Gillespie Elemental-)' School has moved from probationary status to receiving numerous grants and academic awards and has become one of the original ten schools with a technology focus, making it a Technology Magnet Cluster School; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis was a member of the second cohort of the Chicago Principals Fellowship and was selected to join the 2016-2017 Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Public School Principals at Teachers College, Columbia University. The fellowship seeks to strengthen public schools by recognizing outstanding principals and aspiring principals and developing their capacity as leaders; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Willis has been an active member of the Illinois Principa...
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