The purpose of Aurora’s Education Commission (AEC) is to engage in constructive dialogue regarding information and initiatives that benefit our educational institutions and our greater city.
The commission consists of Aurora area educational leaders from preschool through post-secondary, allies from both the private and public sectors, as well as valuable workforce partners. The commission was born out of Mayor Richard C. Irvin’s vision for leveraging education as a foundation for equity.
Part of the AEC’s work has been centered around that very topic - equity.
In past meetings, we have solicited external expertise to facilitate conversations regarding implicit and explicit bias, racial inequities, and the perception and treatment of all human beings. In recent weeks, those conversations have resurfaced as videos of racialized violence have served as a bitter reminder of the heartbreaking reality that exists for many members of our community.
The Aurora Education Commission acknowledges that educational systems are not immune to the disparities that are seen throughout society and we realize that we have the ability and obligation to be part of the solution to help remedy these negative aspects of our collective environment.
As a commission, we do not pretend to have all of the answers, but we will commit to working to find the right solutions. We feel fortunate to have many diverse perspectives at the table related to education and the workforce. However, the topic of equality transcends these two areas, and much like COVID-19, it is of global concern. Moving forward, we aim to be the hub of support for our community and to give voice to those who need to be heard.
Once we resume our public meetings, the commission will continue to discuss Racial Equity within the context of education with the intention of sharing best practices and recommendations to our education colleagues.
In closing, we remind you that the top priority of our schools is the safety, health, and well-being of our students, staff, and the greater community. We have seen challenges in the past and through collaboration with one another, we have overcome those obstacles.
Let us rise again to the challenge and show the world that we are One Aurora Strong.
Sincerely,
AEC Chair
Dr. Jeff Craig | Superintendent, West Aurora School District 129
AEC Vice-Chair
Dr. Christine Sobek | President, Waubonsee Community College
AEC Treasurer
Lynor Johnson | Head of School, Fox Valley Montessori
AEC Secretary
Sandra Harrison | Co-Founder, Leaders in Transformational Education
AEC Commissioners
Christine Anderson | English Learners Curriculum Coordinator, School District 129
Ald. Edward Bugg | Ward 9 Alderman, City of Aurora
Dr. Mark Curtis-Chavez | Provost, College of DuPage
Dr. Lisa Hichens | Superintendent, Batavia School District 101
Dr. Collette House | Superintendent, Aurora Christian Schools
Dhevi Kandasamy | CEO, Orthosie LLC
Mablene Krueger | Chief Operating Officer, Schaumburg Campus of Roosevelt University
Dr. Todd Leden | Superintendent, Kaneland School District 302
Maria Lopez | Director of Development, St. Augustine College
Phil Lundquist | Principal, Covenant Christian School
Amy McMahon | Head of School, Rosary High School
Dr. Jennifer Norrell | Superintendent, East Aurora School District 131
Mariana Osoria | Vice-President of Centers, Family Focus
Trish Rooney | Director, Strong-Prepared-And-Ready-for-Kindergarten
Dr. Rebecca Sherrick | President, Aurora University
Dr. John Sparlin | Superintendent, Community Unit School District 308
Dr. Karen Sullivan | Superintendent, Indian Prairie School District 204
Dr. Jose Torres | President, Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy
Carl Wegman | President, R.C. Wegman Construction