Democracy School Staff
The Democracy Schools Initiative
The Illinois Democracy Schools Initiative supports a growing network of schools that are committed to equipping students to nurture and sustain our democracy, especially when a growing civic empowerment gap exists impacting students of color and students living in rural communities. We believe that expanding and prioritizing civic learning opportunities and experiences for schools will help to close the civic empowerment gap and improve overall democratic outcomes in our state.
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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 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.
Mary Ellen Daneels is a National Board Certified teacher who taught at West Chicago Community High School for 27 years. She serves as the Director of the Illinois Civics Hub and Illinois Democracy School Network, leading efforts to support civic learning across disciplines K-12.
She has been recognized as the Law-related Educator of the Year by the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago, Teacher of the Year by the 19th District of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Civic Education Teacher from the Center for Civic Education and the Illinois Education Association Teacher of the Year. Mary Ellen has presented on the proven practices of civic learning throughout the nation. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and highlighted in numerous publications such as Education Week, Social Education, Educational Leadership, and Making Classroom Discussions Work from Teachers College Press.
Mary Ellen has advocated for civic education before federal and state lawmakers. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Council of the Social Studies. She worked on the Steering Committee and Pedagogy Committee for the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap.
Mary Ellen Daneels is a National Board Certified teacher who taught at West Chicago Community High School for 27 years. She serves as the Director of the Illinois Civics Hub and Illinois Democracy School Network, leading efforts to support civic learning across disciplines K-12.
She has been recognized as the Law-related Educator of the Year by the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago, Teacher of the Year by the 19th District of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Civic Education Teacher from the Center for Civic Education and the Illinois Education Association Teacher of the Year. Mary Ellen has presented on the proven practices of civic learning throughout the nation. She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and highlighted in numerous publications such as Education Week, Social Education, Educational Leadership, and Making Classroom Discussions Work from Teachers College Press.
Mary Ellen has advocated for civic education before federal and state lawmakers. She served on the Board of Directors for the National Council of the Social Studies. She worked on the Steering Committee and Pedagogy Committee for the Educating for American Democracy Roadmap.