Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon on Campus for ACI Summer Institute

Education reform in Illinois was the topic of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon’s address to more than 100 teachers, teacher educators, and soon-to-be teachers at the Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) Summer Institute for Educators held on campus Friday, June 21. The Institute is an extended day of learning that follows year-around Teacher Induction Academies. 

Simon was welcomed by and introduced to guests by Trinity Provost Liz Rudenga, Ph.D. “As I read her biography, I realized that she shares many characteristics of educators,” said Rudenga. “Teachers care about the children in the classes. She cares about people, for she was a country prosecutor, fighting crime to create safe communities. Teachers are accountable for the learning environment they establish, for the learning of their students.

“The Lieutenant Governor wants government to be accountable, just as teachers are accountable to set the learning context in the classrooms,” Rudenga said.

The institute also welcomed Dr. Carol Baker, one of the writers for the Next Generation Science Standards.  Baker is the director of curriculum for science and music for Community High School District 218 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. For 18 years, she taught all levels of high school physics. She has participated in science competitive professional development experiences such as the Department of Energy Teacher Research Associates and NASA Educational Workshops for Mathematics and Science Teachers.

ACI, of which Trinity is a member, is a network of private, nonprofit, residential colleges and universities that works with business and community leaders to design and implement innovative and collaborative programs.