District 88 alumnus, late Board member honored with ISBE Those Who Excel awards

On Oct. 17, I had the honor to attend the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Those Who Excel banquet to recognize two District 88 award recipients.

The Those Who Excel awards program honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Illinois public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Addison Trail alumnus Jeffrey Williams earned a Meritorious Service award in the student support personnel category, and the late Mark Johnson earned a Meritorious Service award in the school board member/community volunteer category.

Addison Trail alumnus Jeffrey Williams receives a Meritorious Service award in the student support personnel category during the ISBE Those Who Excel banquet on Oct. 17.

Williams graduated from Addison Trail in 2005 and is now a School Psychologist at Fremd High School. Watching Williams receive his award truly embodies why I became a Board member. Seeing our students succeed and find their path in life is an indescribable feeling that fills me with pride. As Board President, there’s nothing more gratifying than knowing our staff and schools made a positive difference and helped Williams reach this accomplishment.

Left: Phyllis Johnson receives an award from State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D., on behalf of her late husband, Mark Johnson, who passed away in December 2014. Johnson graduated from Willowbrook in 1966 and was a member of the District 88 Board of Education since 1999, serving as Board President from 2003 to 2011. For his work with District 88, Johnson earned a Meritorious Service award in the school board member/community volunteer category of the ISBE Those Who Excel program. The awards banquet took place on Oct. 17. Right: Phyllis accepts the award for her late husband.

(From left) District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton, State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D., Phyllis Johnson (wife of the late Mark Johnson, a former District 88 Board of Education member), District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain, District 88 Board of Education member Lisa Lullo and District 88 Assistant Superintendent Jean Barbanente honor Johnson's memory, as he was recognized with an award during the ISBE Those Who Excel banquet on Oct. 17.

The banquet also was a tremendous opportunity to honor Johnson for his years of service to District 88. I was privileged to sit with Johnson’s wife, Phyllis, during the ceremony. District 88 Board of Education member Lisa Lullo, Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton, Assistant Superintendent Jean Barbanente and Director of Community Relations Dani Brink also attended the event.

When you think of District 88, Johnson is one of the first people who come to mind. He was invested in the district in so many ways – he graduated from Willowbrook in 1966; he received the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012; and he was a member of the Board of Education since 1999, serving as Board President from 2003 to 2011.

As a fellow Board member with Johnson, I can honestly say he could always be counted on to make the tough decisions necessary to ensure a high-quality educational experience for our students. He often said his favorite aspects of being on the Board were shaking hands with all the potential for the future that walks across the stage on graduation day, seeing the successes and dedication of students who receive the District 88’s Best award and working with a faculty and staff who have demonstrated themselves to be among the best in the area. Johnson and Phyllis especially loved the arts and shared that passion. They were big supporters of the fine arts program in District 88, and Johnson’s legacy in that area and throughout the district will be felt for years to come.

But Johnson and I share more than a seat on the District 88 Board of Education. Along with being Willowbrook graduates, we also are parents of Willowbrook alumni. Having our children go through high school together gave me the opportunity to see Johnson’s dedication to District 88. He was always an involved and engaged parent – so much so that he was asked by former Superintendent Robert Lopatka to join the Board. He not only attended countless events and activities at the school, but he also served on the Music Booster Club, of which Phyllis was President.

Watching Johnson serve as Board President and how he created an environment where the administrators and Board members worked together with a focus on student achievement and respected one another’s decisions inspired me to run for Board President. I have served in that role since 2011 and it’s because I had a tremendous mentor in Johnson.

Johnson passed away on Dec. 13, 2014, from cancer, but his impact on District 88 will live on through the achievements of our students and the bright futures they pursue. He was dedicated to this district, to this community and to these students. He was an outstanding Board member and a wonderful human being. But more than that, he was truly a friend. He will forever be part of the District 88 family and will be greatly missed.

For more information about the Those Who Excel awards program, go to www.isbe.state.il.us/%5C/those-who-excel/default.htm.