Illinois Principals Association

IPA Leadership

The IPA has an ambitious vision to ensure there are effective, sustained educational leaders for every Illinois school community. We strive to achieve this vision by developing, supporting, and advocating for innovative educational leaders, which requires the commitment, collaboration, and effort of our members.

In order to get the work done, the IPA has created four statewide committees responsible for developing, overseeing, and sustaining the Association’s strategic efforts to improve member services and enhance the profession of educational leadership. The committees and their members are listed below.

Assistant Principals Committee

Assistant Principals play a critical leadership role supporting our schools. The IPA’s Assistant Principals (AP) Committee ensures the Association provides these leaders with the critical resources and support they need to be effective. Additionally, the AP Committee oversees and directs the delivery of the IPA’s two AP Summits held in the Northern and Southern parts of the state each year.

Chair

Dr. Tesha Robinson, Assistant Principal
Collinsville High School
Collinsville, IL
Ph 618-954-2255
trobinson@cusd.kahoks.org

Members

Shawn Collins
Assistant Principal
Marseilles Elementary School
Starved Rock Region

Josh Gage
Assistant Principal
Lukansic Middle School
Three Rivers Region

Bryant Hale
Assistant Principal
Herrin Elementary School
Shawnee Region

Ryan Huels
Assistant Principal
Oregon Elementary School
Northwest Region

Matt Hutchins
Assistant Principal
United Township High School
Blackhawk Region
Kathryn Jennings
Dean
Lombard School
Western Region

Andy Julian
Assistant Principal
Richland County High School
Wabash Valley Region

Dave Mannon
Assistant Principal for Student Affairs
Riverside Brookfield High School
West Cook Region

Anthony Mansur
Assistant Principal
Jacksonville Middle School
Two Rivers Region

Kris Nickolas
Assistant Principal
Washington Academy
Kishwaukee Region
Colin Nolan
Assistant Principal
Central Park School
South Cook Region

Ryan Rubenstein
Associate Principal
Lake Zurich High School
Lake Region

Mike Rumsey
Assistant Principal
Roxana High School
Southwestern Region

Arturo Senteno
Associate Principal of Instruction
Elk Grove High School
North Cook Region

Diversity and Equity

The IPA values diversity and equity in our schools and in our Association. The IPA’s Diversity and Equity Committee oversees the Association’s diversity and equity efforts which includes ensuring the IPA’s leadership and membership are reflective of the profession. Further, the Committee provides critical input into the development of the IPA’s professional learning program, Model Student Handbook procedures, and legislative positions.

Chair

Denise Gamble
Retired Principal
Chicago, IL
Ph 773-288-2950
demigamble@yahoo.com

Members

Gerrie Aulisa
Principal
John Albright Middle School
DuPage Region

Chad Cox
Principal
West Prairie High School
Western Region

Cris Edwards
Principal
Richland County Elementary School
Wabash Valley Region

Colandra Hamilton
Principal
Central Park Elementary School
South Cook Region

Jamaal Heavens
Assistant Principal
Centralia High School
Kaskaskia Region

Ann Hoffmann
Principal
Midland High School
Starved Rock Region

Megan Hunter
Principal
Lincoln Trail Elementary School
Illini Region
Sandi Johnson
Principal
Clearview Elementary School
Lake Region

Alana Laury
Assistant Principal for Student Support
Maine East High Schoool
North Cook Region

Christie Lorsbach
Principal
Calhoun Elementary/ Jr High School
Two Rivers Region

Courtney Marks
Assistant Principal
Bloomington High School
Corn Belt Region

Clint Mathewson
Assistant Principal
Farmington Central Elementary School
Central Illinois Valley Region

Tim McChristian
Principal
DuQuoin High School
Egyptian Region

Dr. Kimberly McNeal
Retired Principal
West Cook Region
Nashwa Mekky
Principal
Howe Elementary School
Lake Region

Joe Mullikin
Principal
Highland Elementary School
Northwest Region

Shawni Reed
Assistant Principal
Feitshans Elementary School
Abe Lincoln Region

Christi Thigpen-Varnes
Principal
Edison Jr. High School
Blackhawk Region

Markenya Williams
Educational Consultant
Kishwaukee Region

Joi Wills
Principal
Fulton Jr High School
Southwestern Region

Dr. Keith Wood
Principal
Brooks Middle School
Three Rivers Region

Legislative

The IPA Legislative Committee advocates on behalf of Illinois’ school leaders with the Governor, General Assembly, and Federal Legislators. The committee also reviews IPA Platform Statements, provides legislative and advocacy information to Region membership, promotes Principal for a Day participation, and helps build relationships with legislators to grow our grassroots network with policymakers. The Committee is open to all active IPA members.

Chair

Darin Loepker, Principal
Shiloh Middle School
O’Fallon, IL
Ph 618-632-7434

Membership

The IPA only exists as a result of our Members. The IPA’s Membership Committee develops and oversees the Association’s strategic efforts to grow our membership and ensure members are being served effectively.

Chair

Terica Doyle
Assistant Principal
Carbondale Comm High School
618-457-3371
terica.doyle@cchs165.com

Members

Jamie Adolphson
Assistant Principal
Morton High School
Central Illinois Valley Region
LaSandra Chism
Principal
Estella Sauget School of Choice
Southwestern Region

Heidi Coleman
Assistant Principal
Liberty Elementary School
Kishwaukee Region

Jodi Collier
Principal
Spoon River Valley Elem School
Western Region

Dr. Matt Epperley
Administrator of Social Emotional Health & Wellness
Cooperative Association for Special Education
DuPage Region

Adam Favre
Principal
Madison Park Elementary School
Kaskaskia Region
Shannon Fuhr
Principal
Prairie Central Primary East
Corn Belt Region

Denise Gamble
Retired Principal
West Cook Region

Jim Geer
Principal
Tampico Elementary School
Northwest Region

Jon Hallmark
Principal
Highland Middle School
Lake Region

Colandra Hamilton
Principal
Central Park School
South Cook Region

Jamie Hobrock
Principal
Triopia Grade School
Two Rivers Region
Sara McDonald
Principal
Northview Elementary School
Starved Rock Region

Chris Ruddy
Assistant Principal
Bolingbrook High School
Three Rivers Region

Jason Stark
Principal
Washington Elementary School
Wabash Valley Region

Jeff Wardle
Principal
Buffalo Grove High School
North Cook Region

Dennis Weiss
Principal
Eugene Field Elementary School
Blackhawk Region

Nicole Zaayer
Principal
Garfield Elementary School
Illini Region