Lake County Gazette

District 181 in Hinsdale, Illinois, has welcomed a new group of teachers as the district begins offering full-day kindergarten for the first time. The new educators are participating in a two-day training program designed to help them transition into their roles.

"As we begin a new school year, we're not only excited to welcome back our students but also to introduce a group of exceptional new teachers to our family,” said Dr. Hector Garcia, Superintendent. “Their passion and expertise will be a fantastic addition to our premier learning environment, and we look forward to the amazing contributions they'll make to our students' success."

On the first day of training, leaders from departments including Human Resources, Communications and Safety, Technology, and Business and Operations met with the new hires to provide guidance and resources. The second day is focused on instructional practices led by the Department of Learning.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome this talented group of teachers to District 181," said Dr. Gina Hermann, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. "Their energy and fresh perspectives will undoubtedly enrich our learning community, and we are committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive in their new roles."

District 181 serves DuPage and Cook counties and includes schools such as Clarendon Hills Middle School, Elm Elementary School, Hinsdale Middle School, Madison Elementary School, Monroe Elementary School, Oak Elementary School, Prospect Elementary School, The Lane Elementary School, and Walker School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data from the Illinois State Board of Education, District 181 employs 282 teachers who earn an average salary of $94,227 before pension contributions; about 90 percent are women and 10 percent are men. The district reports no teachers with more than ten absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

The student population in District 181 is approximately 69.8 percent White, 1.1 percent Black, 6.8 percent Hispanic, and 15.4 percent Asian (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, per-student spending was $31,308 for a total expenditure of $117 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

District officials say they look forward to working collaboratively with all staff members toward shared educational goals.