Dr. Michael AmadeiSuperintendent of schools
#62UNITED
Dear District 62 Community,
It is my privilege to lead as your Superintendent of Schools for Community Consolidated School District 62.
As a public school educator I have served students and families in the State of Illinois for the past 25 years with the last 15 of those years proudly served right here in Des Plaines. As I reflect on my years in the district, I am extremely proud of the leadership, compassion and dedication that makes District 62 a destination district.
For the last four years, I've served as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. In that role, I was responsible for collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure best practice with regards to personnel services and records, pandemic and regular staffing issues, contract administration, and personnel review and appraisal. Prior to that I served for a decade as the principal of Iroquois Community School, the district’s year-round school.
Throughout my time at Iroquois, I collaborated with and challenged the staff resulting in high academic expectations and outcomes while also focusing on strong SEL (social emotional learning) practices. Together through our efforts we became an Apple Distinguished School, one of 400 in the world.At the beginning of my career I was a fifth grade teacher, and I loved my time at Garfield Elementary School in Elgin U-46. During my time teaching I was invited to participate in an administrator internship and was moved to an assistant principal position. One year later I became the principal of Prairieview Elementary School. During my time in these radically different learning environments I engaged families that were affluent, as well as supporting families from diverse backgrounds.
These experiences had a profound impact on my understanding that deep inequities could exist within the same school district and even within the same school building. Needless to say my time spent as a teacher and then a principal influenced my role as an instructional leader, even to this day.
Fast-forwarding to today I have appreciated the opportunities for growth in this district. What fulfills me is maintaining a culture that is caring, professional, ethical, collaborative and accountable. The significance of my role in education is never lost on me. Every single day I recognize the ability I have to make an incredible difference for the students, families, staff and community that I serve. My wife, Jennifer, is a career teacher and as parents of Naomi and Cooper, we know first-hand the difference a committed, high-quality, professional school district can make for each and every one of our students.
I am proud to be a part of the Des Plaines and Rosemont learning communities, our staff’s dedication and the perseverance of our students. I look forward to all we will accomplish, and I can say with certainty that the future is very bright!
Michael A. Amadei, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Community Consolidated School District 62
CCSD62 Twitter
A Few Minutes with Dr. Mike - Podcast
Episode 1: A year in review
On his first episode, Dr. Mike speaks with Jennifer Tempest bova, Director of community relations, reflecting on his first year as superintendent.
July 1, 2023
Running Time: 19:56
Listen Now!
Episode 2: School Safety & Security
On his second episode, Dr. Mike speaks with City of Des Plaines Police Chief David Anderson, about the district's collaborations to further enhance our school safety and security Measures.
October 20, 2023
Running Time: 24:36
Listen Now!
FY24 Message to the Community
Transition & 100 Day Plan
The benefit of formulating an internal transition plan allows for a smooth succession of leadership.
FY22-23 Transition Plan Goals
goal 1: student growth & achievement
Continuing Professional Development: Staff kicked off the school year participating in a variety of professional development activities that include teacher leadership institute, instructional coach professional learning and Kagan cooperative training.
ISBE Schools Summative Designations: ISBE posted the summative designations for our schools in late October with some very positive news.
Two of our schools, Forest and Plainfield were designated as exemplary, with the remaining schools being designated as commendable.
Summer Workbooks Student Recognition: Students across the district were recognized for their summer learning practice with their district-provided summer learning workbook.
goal 2: learning environment
Board Equity Development: In August, the Board participated in an IASB equity development workshop.
Middle School Encore Review Committee: Last month, Dr. Julie Fogarty, Ms. Christy Bowman, and Ms. Libby Juskiewicz led their fourth meeting with a group of encore (specials) teachers to develop new options for our middle school students. I was part of the meeting and discussed the importance of the work the team is undertaking, a phased timeline, as well as resources.
Goal 3: Work environment
Around the district in 62 days: One of my primary goals as I began my Superintendency was to meet with staff at all sites to seek their feedback and get a better understanding of what their vision was for the district as we look to the future and support the work of our strategic plan.
I was very pleased to hear staff say they are thankful to be part of such a wonderful community that they described as being part of a family. They were appreciative of the time spent together.
goal 4: Family & community engagement
Asylum Seekers: Provided immediate support to Venezuelan asylum seekers seeking refuge and support in Des Plaines after being relocated by Texas Governor Abbott.
These families migrated to the United States fleeing an ongoing humanitarian crisis that continues to worsen.
The district determined resources and supports needed for these families including services from the Kenneth Young Center.
Goal 5: Resources
District Safety Committee: A smaller safety committee met this fall that included school principals, representatives from the Des Plaines Police Department, Cabinet and Student Services to begin some preliminary discussions centering around our focus for the school year to enhance our safety measures throughout the district. We will be meeting as a larger team in the future.