VHHS Administrator Named Assistant Principal of the Year

Vernon Hills High School Assistant Principal Jean Aucutt, who was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Lake Region of the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) in January, has been named the 2013-14 Illinois Assistant Principal of the Year. The honor, sponsored by Horace Mann and IPA, recognizes assistant principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community. Criteria for the award include: 

• Demonstrates positive impact on education and advocacy for children
• Ensures the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale
• Demonstrates creativity and imagination in bringing about positive change
• Willing to take risks to improve student learning
• Moves actively to implement the goals and objectives of the school
• Works collaboratively with teachers and other staff to improve the educational program and student achievement
• Anticipates emerging programs and acts effectively to resolve them
• Involves the community tin the life of the school and uses community resources for students.

VHHS Principal Ellen Cwick noted about Aucutt, “I truly appreciate how she expertly takes care of our Student Services arena. Jean is a strong listener and problem-solver. As she handles conflict, she respectfully puts staff, parents, and students at ease, all the while looking out for what is best for students. Her loyalty and dedication to VHHS and District 128 are simply contagious.” 

Aucutt has spent her entire career in Community High School District 128. After completing her undergraduate degree at Illinois State University in 1981, she accepted a position teaching business at Libertyville High School. In 1994, she became a student facilitator (dean/counselor) at LHS. Aucutt received her Master’s in Business Education from Northern Illinois University in 1986, and her Type 75 Certificate in 1991, also from NIU. She had the unique opportunity to be involved in the opening of VHHS in 1999. She began as a counselor, then was a department chair/dean for the first year VHHS was a four-year high school. She became the assistant principal in 2005.

Starting a new school and combining it with a team approach has been integral to excellent climate at VHHS. Aucutt believes creating a positive school climate and the ability to work together are critical to the success of a school. She works at developing relationships with the staff and educating them on the importance of looking at the whole child. Jean acknowledges, “At VHHS, we have worked hard at creating an atmosphere that is a caring, happy place to learn. Our staff loves to work here, students respect and enjoy their teachers. I know I have had a hand in helping to create such a wonderful school!”

“Assistant principals are educational leaders who serve students and their communities in so many capacities. Jean Aucutt is to be commended for her compassion, leadership and efforts to do what is best for her students,” said Jason Leahy, IPA Executive Director.

The Assistant Principal of the Year winner was selected from a pool of regional nominees provided by the 21 regions of the IPA. Aucutt will be recognized at the IPA’s annual Assistant Principals Conference in 2014 and will receive a $1,000 honorarium. The award affords her the opportunity to compete for the National Assistant Principal of the Year sponsored by Virco and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

— Submitted by School District 128