Administration •
Board of Education
Administration
Welcome to Sycamore Community Unit School District #427. It is my pleasure to serve our community and school district as your Superintendent. I am proud to lead a dynamic team of educators who are student centered. Our actions will be centered around the young people that we serve as we do everything within our power to maximize the educational opportunities available to each and every student.
Dr. Wayne Riesen
Superintendent of Schools
wriesen@syc427.org
 Dr. Wayne Riesen has enjoyed a rich and rewarding career in education that includes serving as an Illinois public school superintendent for the past 17 years. He was born and raised in Chicago and spent a majority of his schooling years in the DuPage County community of west suburban Bensenville. After graduating from Fenton High School, he pursued his BA Degree in Music Education from Greenville College in Greenville, IL. Additionally, Dr. Riesen earned three graduate degrees including his Masters and Education Specialist in Educational Administration from Western Illinois University, and his Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in North Miami Beach, Florida.
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Kathy Countryman
Assistant Superintendent
kcountry@syc427.org
Kathy Countryman, Assistant Superintendent, received her undergraduate and Masters Degrees in Education from the University of Iowa. She also holds a Superintendent Endorsement from Western Illinois University. Kathy spent 8 years teaching in Iowa prior to moving to Illinois. Her administrative career began in Indian Prairie #204 in Naperville as Assistant Principal. Her tenure with Sycamore Schools began the fall of 2000, as the principal of Southeast Elementary School. In 2004, Kathy was appointed Assistant Superintendent, a role she currently holds. Kathy and her family have resided in Sycamore for the past 14 years. Kathy understands the importance the community of Sycamore places on education and strives to create school and community partnerships that enhance the lives of all stakeholders.
Luke Glowiak
Assistant Superintendent
Jane Dargatz
Director of Student Services
jdargatz@syc427.org
Nancy Leifheit, Ed.D.
Director of Curriculum
nleifhei@syc427.org
Nancy Leifheit, Director of Curriculum, received her Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and Education from Ripon College and her Masters Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University. She earned her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from NIU and is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Nancy has had a wide range of teaching experience having taught pre-school, Gifted Program, 5th grade, and 6th grade, as well as undergraduate and graduate classes for NIU and DePaul University. Nancy believes it is our role as the team of educators in Sycamore CUSD 427 to work together to provide a comprehensive plan of opportunities for our students as they become empowered to succeed in their own world. They will reach or surpass the standards we have set if we meet the expectations we have for ourselves to support them in the journey.
Kreg Wesley
Director of Operations
kwesley@syc427.org
Kreg Wesley, Director of Operations, received his Bachelors Degree from Northern Illinois University, his Masters Degree from North Central College, and his CSBO Certification from NIU. Kreg spent 6 years as a classroom teacher in DeKalb, 4 years as a Sycamore High School Administrator, and is currently a Sycamore Central Office Administrator. Kreg says the goal for the Sycamore School District Operations Department is to provide a safe, comfortable learning environment that meets the developmental needs of all learners. The vision of the department is to extend the use of facilities outside the typical school day. This can be done through by creating school programs that have a flexible schedule, as well as the development of partnerships that meet the needs of all learners in our community.
Phyllis Mobile
Director of Special Education
pmobile@syc427.org
Phyllis Mobile, Director of Special Education, got her Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University, her Master of Science Degree in Supervision of Special Education from Northern Illinois University, and has her Administrative Certificate/Approval for State Director of Special Education. Phyllis taught special education at the elementary level for seven years in Steger, Illinois. She then supervised special education elementary and secondary student teachers for NIU for three years before becoming the coordinator/supervisor for two years at DCSEA (DeKalb County Special Education Association). Prior to coming to the Sycamore School District, she worked 13 years as a supervisor, assistant director, and principal of the alternative school in Carpentersville, IL. She has been in her current position for four years. Phyllis brings to Sycamore over 28 years of experience in the various areas of special needs populations and regulations. Her mission for special needs learners matches the district’s mission to ensure that ALL learners are empowered to succeed in their world.
Tim Carlson
High School Principal
tcarlson@syc427.org
Tim Carlson, Sycamore High School Principal, graduated from Malta High School and went on to get his Associates Degree from Kishwaukee College and his Bachelors Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University. He also has two Masters Degrees from NIU in Sport Management and Education Administration. Tim was previously the Athletic Director at Sycamore High School prior to gaining his current position. The goal of Sycamore High School is to provide positive experiences for all students and to truly “empower all students to succeed in their world.” High School should be the "Experience of a Lifetime" for young people and should help students engage academically and socially as they progress into adulthood
Steve Balster
High School Assistant Principal
sbalster@syc427.org
Steve Balster, Sycamore High School Assistant Principal, received a Bachelors Degree from Illinois State University, a Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University, and his Type 75 from Aurora University. Steve taught four years at Geneva High School before becoming the Dean of Students for seven years. He was the Dean of Students at St. Charles for one year before coming to his current position in Sycamore in 2008. Steve believes education should provide a challenging, caring, and passionate educational experience for every student so they can be productive citizens. Also, education can provide a connection for students through athletic or extra-curricular activities.
Brad Barnhardt
High School Dean of Students
bbarnhar@syc427.org
Brad Barnhardt, Sycamore High School Dean of Students, received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Mary and his Masters Degree (Type 75) from Aurora University. Brad taught seven years at South Prairie Elementary in Sycamore prior to becoming Dean of Students at Sycamore High School. Brad believes education should provide an exciting and caring environment that will foster an outstanding educational experience for all children. In doing so, we will work collaboratively with all stakeholders.
Jim Cleven
Middle School Principal
jcleven@syc427.org
Jim Cleven, Middle School Principal, received his Bachelor degree from Central Michigan University and his Masters Degree from Aurora University. Jim has eighteen years of middle school experience, eight years teaching, and ten years of administration experience. Jim’s goal is to make the middle school years a great experience to remember and would like to build partnerships with parents that will enhance their child's education.
Melanie Bickley
Middle School Assistant Principal
mbickley@syc427.org
Melanie Bickley, assistant principal at Sycamore Middle School, received her undergraduate degree in English Education from Northern Illinois University. Melanie has spent the last fifteen years of her career teaching middle school Language Arts in DeKalb, Geneva, and Kaneland. While teaching, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Teaching and her Type 75 Administration Certification from Aurora University. Her extensive experiences have given her a strong background in middle school education and exposure to many different philosophies and programs, which will help her to contribute to the middle school as they move forward.
Kathy Spiewak
North Elementary Principal
kspiewak@syc427.org
Kathy Spiewak, North Elementary School Principal. Kathy was an elementary teacher in Carol Stream and Rochelle from 1985-1999, before becoming an assistant principal at Central School in 1999. From 2000-2003, she was the Elementary Curriculum Director in Rochelle before earning her current position in 2003. Kathy strongly believes that all students are capable of “Reaching for the Stars.” The staff is a reflection of the strategic design plan of Sycamore School District #427. Students First! is a priority. This philosophy is accomplished with a strong core curriculum, hand in hand partnerships with families and community, the fostering of core values, and meeting the needs of students at his/her ability academically, physically, and socially.
Ryan Janisch
North Grove Elementary Principal
rjanisch@syc427.org
Ryan J. Janisch, North Grove Elementary, received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from Northern Illinois University and his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University. Ryan was a physical education/health teacher at Central Middle School in Burlington from 2004-2007, and then became Dean of Students/Athletic Director at Prairie Knolls Middle School in Burlington. This year Ryan will become the principal of our newest elementary school. Ryan believes that the staff at North Grove is dedicated to providing learning opportunities that promote student growth academically, socially and emotionally. This is achieved by building strong character in students while instilling a desire for lifelong learning. The character education program which is based on the district’s strategic design will continually build a positive and nurturing school culture for all. Collaboration with parent, community members and other schools will continually be a focus for the staff at North Grove. This approach will “Empower all learners to succeed in their world.”
Julie Graves
South Prairie Elementary Principal
jgraves@syc427.org
Julie Graves, South Prairie Elementary School Principal, earned her Bachelors Degree from Monmouth College in Monmouth, and her Masters Degree in Administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Julie has fifteen years of teaching experience in Jr. Primary, first, second, third, fourth, and a seventh/eighth combined classroom. Prior to moving to Sycamore, Julie served as the principal of Cuba Elementary School in Cuba, Illinois for 5 years in a PreK - Gr. 6 building. Sycamore has such a wonderful blend of small town charm and big city opportunities! South Prairie will offer just that too – charm and opportunity! We want to provide opportunities for our students to maximize their potential as we focus on the Core Values of the district’s Strategic Design Plan and solid instruction based on best practices. This year our goals will focus on literacy, our school-wide Positive Behavior and Supports model, building climate, and our students’ “Response to Interventions.”
Mark Ekstrom
Southeast Elementary Principal
mekstrom@syc427.org
Mark Ekstrom, Southeast Elementary School Principal, received his Associates Degree from Kishwaukee College, his Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Education from Illinois State University and his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. Mark worked as an Agriculture teacher at Iroquois West High School from 1996-1999, and as the Agriculture/Horticulture Teacher at Sycamore High School from 1999-2007. He became principal at Southeast in 2007. Mark believes that in keeping with the tradition of “Empowering all learners to succeed in their world,” the Southeast staff is committed to providing an exemplary education to all learners. Southeast students are active participants learning in classrooms with differentiated instruction, engaging curriculum, and a nurturing culture. Parents are the child’s first and continuing teacher. It is the responsibility of educators to work closely with parents to build a trusting, cooperative, collaborative relationship to nurture each child toward his or her intellectual, emotional, and physical potential.
Mary Currie
West Elementary Principal
mcurrie@syc427.org
Mary M. Currie, West Elementary School Principal, received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Illinois State University and her Masters Degree in Administration from Northern Illinois University. She has been principal of West School since 1993. Mary believes that all children can learn and succeed when they are challenged, provided meaningful experiences and activities, and take ownership of their learning. Working together with parents, staff, students, and the community, we are able to encourage and assist children in reaching their full potential. West School’s goals for the 2009-2010 school year are literacy, climate, and technology.
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