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 have been the Department Chair for Social Science at Maine East HS for the past 14 years. Before that, I was the Department Chair at Hinsdale Central HS for 5 years. Before that, I taught at Evanston Township HS for 13 years. Maine East has been a part of the Democracy Schools network for 8 years. I live in Evanston with my wife and three children. My passions include attending concerts, basketball, fantasy baseball, and playing cards especially poker and bridge
Entering my final year in the classroom I will be teaching World history/Geography, History and have taught Civics, AP US Government and Economics. I am an NBCT, a building chair and have worked as an instructional Coach for Il Civics Hub for several years. I have worked with many other student centered groups like Mikva including two trips to Iowa. I am inspired by students who dive into civic engagement. I enjoy learning and attend way too many online PD, reading books, listening to podcasts and traveling (with or without students). My special interest is Government (the Courts especially) and am proud to have brought a multicultural class to Unit 5. I plan on staying engaged in educational work upon my retirement
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 have been the Department Chair for Social Science at Maine East HS for the past 14 years. Before that, I was the Department Chair at Hinsdale Central HS for 5 years. Before that, I taught at Evanston Township HS for 13 years. Maine East has been a part of the Democracy Schools network for 8 years. I live in Evanston with my wife and three children. My passions include attending concerts, basketball, fantasy baseball, and playing cards especially poker and bridge
Entering my final year in the classroom I will be teaching World history/Geography, History and have taught Civics, AP US Government and Economics. I am an NBCT, a building chair and have worked as an instructional Coach for Il Civics Hub for several years. I have worked with many other student centered groups like Mikva including two trips to Iowa. I am inspired by students who dive into civic engagement. I enjoy learning and attend way too many online PD, reading books, listening to podcasts and traveling (with or without students). My special interest is Government (the Courts especially) and am proud to have brought a multicultural class to Unit 5. I plan on staying engaged in educational work upon my retirement
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 have a passion for traveling and bringing those experiences back to my classroom. I have also coached volleyball and worked with student-athletes for over 25 years
Billson Rasavongxay is the Department Chair of Social Studies at Hinsdale Central High School in the western suburbs of Chicago. In his role, he oversees curriculum development in the department, while also supporting and evaluating 25 teachers. He also serves as a Building Equity Action Team leader and a member of his District Cultural Equity Team. He has also been a leader in curriculum work at the state level, helping draft the IL Social Studies Standards for High School in 2016 with revisions in 2020. He has spent over 15 years in the classroom, with the last 8 years concurrently as a department chair. He has started a Master’s in Critical Ethnic Studies at DePaul University and has a Bachelor’s in History/Secondary Ed from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana
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 have a passion for traveling and bringing those experiences back to my classroom. I have also coached volleyball and worked with student-athletes for over 25 years
Billson Rasavongxay is the Department Chair of Social Studies at Hinsdale Central High School in the western suburbs of Chicago. In his role, he oversees curriculum development in the department, while also supporting and evaluating 25 teachers. He also serves as a Building Equity Action Team leader and a member of his District Cultural Equity Team. He has also been a leader in curriculum work at the state level, helping draft the IL Social Studies Standards for High School in 2016 with revisions in 2020. He has spent over 15 years in the classroom, with the last 8 years concurrently as a department chair. He has started a Master’s in Critical Ethnic Studies at DePaul University and has a Bachelor’s in History/Secondary Ed from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana
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.
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 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 teacher of Ballet, and Jazz at Chicago Movement Collective, 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 Per4mers4Change promoting positive active citizenship through the power of performance and youth and a proud member of the DSN Advisory Council.
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.
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 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 teacher of Ballet, and Jazz at Chicago Movement Collective, 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 Per4mers4Change promoting positive active citizenship through the power of performance and youth and a proud member of the DSN Advisory Council.