Democracy School Network Advisory Council
The Democracy Schools Network Advisory Council was created so that network members can support the development and vision of the Democracy Schools Initiative. Advisory Council members both represent and serve their respective regions, as well as provide input on the needs of the entire Democracy Schools Network. Members are selected for a two-year commitment and should represent the diversity, experience, and geography of the schools that are in our network.
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I am honored to have served as the Associate Principal for Student Experiences at Maine West High School since 2016. Before that, I worked as Activities Director at Downers Grove South, as a Division Head for English and Fine Arts at Wheeling High School, and an English teacher before that. Additionally, since 2011, I have served on the Executive Board of IDSA (Illinois Directors of Student Activities). Through my connection with DSN and IDSA, I have worked to increase student voice in activities and all experiences within the schools. I look forward to serving on the council to learn from all the members and their schools and hopefully share a bit from my experience as well.
I am the Social Studies Department Chair at Grayslake Central High School where I have been for over 20 years teaching everything from AP Government to Economics to World History. I was the founding member of GCHS’ Democracy School committee and have served on the DSN Advisory Committee for 3 years. I am also a member of the of the School Board of the elementary district where we live. I am married with 2 kids (ages 7 and 9) who keep me on my toes and smiling…most days.
I was the Social Studies Instructor/Department Chair at Geneva High School for 26 years and led efforts in 2006 to have the school recognized as one of the first Democracy Schools in the state. Was awarded Kane County Educator of the Year in 1997 and Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction in 2007. Since retiring from teaching in 2015, I’ve had the pleasure to serve as the Democracy Schools Manager for Illinois Democracy Schools, where I have interacted with educators across the state who are deeply committed to creating exemplary civic learning programs in their schools. I also continue to serve as an AP European History reader for the College Board, and a Volunteer Trainer at the Art Institute of Chicago.
I am honored to have served as the Associate Principal for Student Experiences at Maine West High School since 2016. Before that, I worked as Activities Director at Downers Grove South, as a Division Head for English and Fine Arts at Wheeling High School, and an English teacher before that. Additionally, since 2011, I have served on the Executive Board of IDSA (Illinois Directors of Student Activities). Through my connection with DSN and IDSA, I have worked to increase student voice in activities and all experiences within the schools. I look forward to serving on the council to learn from all the members and their schools and hopefully share a bit from my experience as well.
I am the Social Studies Department Chair at Grayslake Central High School where I have been for over 20 years teaching everything from AP Government to Economics to World History. I was the founding member of GCHS’ Democracy School committee and have served on the DSN Advisory Committee for 3 years. I am also a member of the of the School Board of the elementary district where we live. I am married with 2 kids (ages 7 and 9) who keep me on my toes and smiling…most days.
I was the Social Studies Instructor/Department Chair at Geneva High School for 26 years and led efforts in 2006 to have the school recognized as one of the first Democracy Schools in the state. Was awarded Kane County Educator of the Year in 1997 and Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction in 2007. Since retiring from teaching in 2015, I’ve had the pleasure to serve as the Democracy Schools Manager for Illinois Democracy Schools, where I have interacted with educators across the state who are deeply committed to creating exemplary civic learning programs in their schools. I also continue to serve as an AP European History reader for the College Board, and a Volunteer Trainer at the Art Institute of Chicago.
I have the privilege of teaching Sociology, Civics, and AVID at Belleville West High School in downtown Illinois. I serve my district as a teacher, mentor, curriculum planner, and advisor of student activities. I am passionate about traveling and bringing those experiences back to my classroom. I have also coached volleyball and worked with student-athletes for over 25 years.
I teach 12th-grade Civics and Economics at Morton West High School where I’ve also taught Personal Finance, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Programming and Networking. Before my time at Morton West, I taught in Chicago Public Schools. When not teaching, I’m actively trying to get my two kids interested in my hobby as a vinyl record collector. We also enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and singing Bruce Springsteen songs.
I have been teaching Civics and humanities at Streamwood High School for over twenty years. It is my mission to emphasize the importance of civic engagement to my students. I have spent my career developing, facilitating, and connecting authentic civic minded experiences for my students. My goal is to have my students leave my class feeling empowered and committed to action
I have the privilege of teaching Sociology, Civics, and AVID at Belleville West High School in downtown Illinois. I serve my district as a teacher, mentor, curriculum planner, and advisor of student activities. I am passionate about traveling and bringing those experiences back to my classroom. I have also coached volleyball and worked with student-athletes for over 25 years.
I teach 12th-grade Civics and Economics at Morton West High School where I’ve also taught Personal Finance, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Programming and Networking. Before my time at Morton West, I taught in Chicago Public Schools. When not teaching, I’m actively trying to get my two kids interested in my hobby as a vinyl record collector. We also enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and singing Bruce Springsteen songs.
I have been teaching Civics and humanities at Streamwood High School for over twenty years. It is my mission to emphasize the importance of civic engagement to my students. I have spent my career developing, facilitating, and connecting authentic civic minded experiences for my students. My goal is to have my students leave my class feeling empowered and committed to action
Nearing the final phase of a 30 + year career, I am currently a social studies teacher at Normal West High School. I teach US History, Human Geography, and Regional World Studies. I have spent many years teaching AP Human Geography, Language Arts, and various other courses. Professional activities include curriculum development for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Steering Committee for the Illinois Geographic Alliance, and the Executive Committee of the Illinois Geographical Society. I am a member of both NCSS and NCGE.
In my free time, I love to travel and explore the world. I adore the arts. I have had many opportunities to travel as a teacher. Favorite professional activities include summer seminars as part of the Gilder Lehrman Society and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
I have been an educator at Hinsdale Central High School since 2007. For thirteen years, I was a Social Studies teacher, and for the past school year and this upcoming school year, I am the Excel 3 Coordinator, helping students with pandemic-related learning loss. While I was a Social Studies teacher, I specialized in World Cultures, and World History Honors, and from 2016 through 2021, I was the Civics team leader and also helped write our curriculum for the course. We were selected to present our semester-long project, the Civic Engagement Portfolio, at the NCSS Conference in Chicago in 2018. Since the fall of 2021, I have been a co-sponsor of Students Against Destructive Decisions. My professional areas of interest include informed action through service learning and empowering all students with the tools and knowledge to be active and engaged citizens in our democracy
Melinda Wilson holds an M.Ed. from DePaul University and an M.A. from the University of Illinois with additional coursework at Northwestern University. She has trained at Batsheva Dance Company (Tel-Aviv), Pineapples (London), and Centre de Danse du Marias (Paris) and has been a pick-up dancer with American Ballet Theatre David Dorfman Dance and Urban Bush Women, to name a few.
Awards include the Top 50 Global Teacher Award, Golden Apple Award, Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreographer (New Voice) Award, IAHPERD Teacher of the Year, SHAPE National Dance Teacher of the Year, first place choreographic awards from Livorno in Danza International Competition, and Barcelona Dance Grand Prix. Wilson has been featured in Tes Education Magazine (United Kingdom), Dance Magazine, and various national and international webinars. Wilson is a Ballet and Jazz teacher at American Rhythm Center, resident choreographer for Her Story Theater, and Dance Artistic Director at Curie Metropolitan High School for the Performing and Technical Arts. She is also the founder of Elite Dance Events & Per4mers4Change, promoting positive active citizenship through the power of performance and youth.
Nearing the final phase of a 30 + year career, I am currently a social studies teacher at Normal West High School. I teach US History, Human Geography, and Regional World Studies. I have spent many years teaching AP Human Geography, Language Arts, and various other courses. Professional activities include curriculum development for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Steering Committee for the Illinois Geographic Alliance, and the Executive Committee of the Illinois Geographical Society. I am a member of both NCSS and NCGE.
In my free time, I love to travel and explore the world. I adore the arts. I have had many opportunities to travel as a teacher. Favorite professional activities include summer seminars as part of the Gilder Lehrman Society and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
I have been an educator at Hinsdale Central High School since 2007. For thirteen years, I was a Social Studies teacher, and for the past school year and this upcoming school year, I am the Excel 3 Coordinator, helping students with pandemic-related learning loss. While I was a Social Studies teacher, I specialized in World Cultures, and World History Honors, and from 2016 through 2021, I was the Civics team leader and also helped write our curriculum for the course. We were selected to present our semester-long project, the Civic Engagement Portfolio, at the NCSS Conference in Chicago in 2018. Since the fall of 2021, I have been a co-sponsor of Students Against Destructive Decisions. My professional areas of interest include informed action through service learning and empowering all students with the tools and knowledge to be active and engaged citizens in our democracy
Melinda Wilson holds an M.Ed. from DePaul University and an M.A. from the University of Illinois with additional coursework at Northwestern University. She has trained at Batsheva Dance Company (Tel-Aviv), Pineapples (London), and Centre de Danse du Marias (Paris) and has been a pick-up dancer with American Ballet Theatre David Dorfman Dance and Urban Bush Women, to name a few.
Awards include the Top 50 Global Teacher Award, Golden Apple Award, Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreographer (New Voice) Award, IAHPERD Teacher of the Year, SHAPE National Dance Teacher of the Year, first place choreographic awards from Livorno in Danza International Competition, and Barcelona Dance Grand Prix. Wilson has been featured in Tes Education Magazine (United Kingdom), Dance Magazine, and various national and international webinars. Wilson is a Ballet and Jazz teacher at American Rhythm Center, resident choreographer for Her Story Theater, and Dance Artistic Director at Curie Metropolitan High School for the Performing and Technical Arts. She is also the founder of Elite Dance Events & Per4mers4Change, promoting positive active citizenship through the power of performance and youth.