On July 1, 2016, Dr. Henry Thiele will become the next superintendent of District 99
The District 99 Board of Education is proud to announce that on July 1, 2016, Dr. Henry Thiele will become the next superintendent of District 99, which includes Downers Grove North High School and Downers Grove South High School.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Thiele to District 99. He has significant experience in the classroom, in administration and in advancing curricular and student development,” says Board of Education President Dr. Nancy Kupka. “His vast technological experience will help the district integrate new methods of teaching into the classroom, building upon and augmenting the outstanding work of the current administration.”
Dr. Thiele currently serves as assistant superintendent for technology and learning at Maine Township District 207 in Park Ridge, a district of three large high schools serving 6,500+ students. In this role, he serves students and teachers by leading the selection of educational and technology resources with a focus on personalizing education. During his tenure at District 207, he has led the district through the deployment of several large-scale initiatives related to teaching, learning and technology. For example, his achievements include becoming the first to bring Google Apps to a K-12 setting, launching a full-scale 1:1 Learning program, transitioning over half of the district’s textbooks to digital platforms and leading the district to become recognized nationally for its innovations in technology and learning.
Dr. Thiele is a widely respected and sought-after expert; in addition to authoring numerous academic papers and curricula, he has been a featured keynote speaker and presenter at dozens of professional conferences about instruction and technology locally and nationwide. He also serves a variety of professional organizations, including as president for the Special Education Technology Connections, a non-profit organization aimed at assisting special education teachers and students with technology. He also has served as a board member for the Illinois Education and Technology Leaders, the statewide technology leadership professional organization.
Prior to District 207, Dr. Thiele worked at Township High School District 211 in Palatine, the largest high school district in Illinois with five high schools serving over 12,000 students. Dr. Thiele was a classroom teacher at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, where he taught in both the music and science departments. He was also active as a coach and activity sponsor at the school. His last position at District 211 was as technology coordinator, where he was responsible for Conant’s educational technology department.
Dr. Thiele’s teaching experience also includes serving as an adjunct professor in the Department of Education at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Dr. Thiele received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Concordia University, earning a double major in instrumental music and physical sciences. He also holds both a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Dr. Thiele and his wife, Annel, have two children, Maria and Henry. He serves his community in Roselle as a school board member, baseball coach, parent volunteer, and scout leader.
Dr. Thiele will replace Dr. Mark McDonald, who has served as superintendent since 2008 and is retiring at the end of the 2015-16 school year.
District 99 will plan public receptions over the next several months to welcome Dr. Thiele to our schools and community.
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