the matter District99welcomesArwenLypandCourtneyDeMentasPrincipals ThePrincipalof

Both District 99 high schools have newer principals this year. Downers Grove South (DGS) welcomes Arwen Lyp, who joined us in July, to begin her inaugural year. Courtney DeMent will continue in her second year at Downers Grove North (DGN). Both are poised and enthusiastic to guide our students in their educational paths, while setting a positive tone for our teachers and administrators.

HOW DID YOUR OWN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE INFLUENCE YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

Arwen: My parents were from Chicago but always wanted to live in the mountains, so I was born in Evergreen, CO. My family moved back to this area when I was 15, between my freshman and sophomore year of high school. Walking into Schaumburg High School that first day, I knew nobody. A girl approached me in gym class and invited me into her friend group. It’s a story I always tell students. Be that person. Find the student who needs a buddy.

Courtney: I grew up in Kankakee, where I lived until I left for college. My mom was an English teacher and a cheerleading coach at Kankakee High School, where I attended. She eventually became the principal. I distinctly remember going with her to football and basketball games and being a part of the school’s community long before I was a student. Through this time spent with her, I was able to see the positive side of her time away from home, and all the good she did. So, I had a head start on high school being a very positive experience.

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?

Arwen: I’m a proud alumna of University of Illinois. I had originally planned to major in math. Freshman year, I took a bunch of history classes and fell in love with social studies. So, I switched to Social Studies Education. I began my career as a traditional classroom teacher at

Joliet West for four years. I then became the Divisional Chair of Humanities for three years. I eventually earned my Master of Educational Leadership and Administration from Chicago State University. Most recently, I was Principal at Hinsdale South.

Courtney: I graduated from Bradley University, where I majored in English and Secondary Education, with a middle school endorsement. I earned my Master of Educational the end of it. It reminds students that anything is possible, and learning is truly a never-ending journey. One tiny word has a lot of power in it that can change a student’s mindset. Change their mindset, and you can change their path. Change their path and you can change their life.

-ARWEN LYP

Leadership from University of Illinois, then my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. I began my career in various roles at Addison Trail High School. I started as a classroom English teacher, gradually taking on the roles of Assistant Athletic Director and Activities Director. I eventually served as Assistant Principal there for nine years. Last year, I came to DGN as Principal.

WHAT PART OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY DO YOU FIND MOST RELEVANT TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

Arwen: One of the most important words I find empowering to students is the word “yet.” ‘I’m not good at math “yet,” is a lot different than, ‘I’m not good at math.’ When you’re not great at something, it changes your mindset to add the word ‘yet’ to

Courtney: I try hard to live by the mantra ‘every student, every day.’ As educators, we try to personalize the high school experience for each student. We have a system that works for 2100 students, but it must also work for students as individuals. The students come first. They’re why we’re here. And they’re constantly changing and evolving. We need to constantly be changing and evolving with them. We must be willing to really listen and hear their needs. Their voices matter in this community. As educators, we have to readily adapt to what they need.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY?

Arwen: Building positive relationships, for sure, with students, families and staff, from the beginning. I’m really quite overwhelmed by the positivity I have found at DGS, thus far. For example, this morning the entire girls volleyball team came into my office with a t-shirt for me and an invitation to run the bleachers with them tomorrow morning. So, tomorrow morning at 8:15, I will be running the bleachers with them! I’m grateful to be invited into opportunities like that. It’s how I get to know students as individuals.

Courtney: Last year, in my first year as Principal of DGN, my main focus was listening and learning. One thing that came across loud and clear was the request that students have more of a voice in what’s happening here, as they should. So, increasing the capacity for student voices to be heard was a big priority, even in things that typically involve only staff. We even added a student voice component into our professional development. We need to be asking ourselves, ‘What are the students telling us that they really gravitate toward in a classroom? What kinds of connections do they need with their teachers?’ It’s about exploring that. We want to make sure every student feels like they have a voice at DGN.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?

Arwen: The unique relationships I am able to have with the entire community. I have a unique role as prin- cipal. I have wonderful opportunities to connect with students along the way. I always tell students, ‘we’re on a never-ending mission of improvement,’ while also empowering their voices. It’s their high school and their experience. I’m always interested in listening to them. One of my priorities is creating some additional structures in which I can help empower and amplify student voice and begin to work with students to collaboratively implement those changes for the never-ending improvement of our school.

Courtney: When students recognize and see the joy in their successes. Last year, we started giving every student and faculty member a t-shirt. It may seem like a trivial thing, but it’s part of community building. So, this year, one of our incubator classes- in which students create a model for a business- designed the t-shirts to be given away. They had ownership of the process. They created the shirt and designed the slogan. It’s great to see them working so hard, and then having the process come to fruition, with their business model and project, and then incorporate it into the school they attend. That’s the best feeling in the world, because we’re preparing students for what lies beyond high school. They’re learning how to achieve success.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING WITH TEENS?

Arwen: I love their opinions and passion on how to change the world. I admire their optimism. I want them to have the experience, in high school, to express their opinion on life and how to improve the world. I want our students to be empowered citizens, to go forth and make the world a better place for all of us. I think people often think teenagers are apathetic, but the complete opposite has actually been my experience. At first glance, they might not seem as enthusiastic or engaged as possible, but I find that if we spend just a few minutes diving in and asking questions about their experiences, they’re the least apathetic group of people.

Courtney: I think the power of teenagers is amazing. They can be some of our biggest movers and shakers. Do not underestimate the power of a group of teenagers, especially with the right guidance and leadership. I think sometimes we don’t give them the benefit of the doubt, however, and it’s hard because we’re in a position in which we’re changing them. There’s a level of expertise we’re working toward with them. Our teachers love it. They own it every day with the mission to help our kids in every way. We’re shaping young adults. They’re not little kids anymore. Students want a voice, and they deserve it. ■

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