New Dean Of Students Named For Thomas Jefferson Junior High

WOODRIDGE, IL — Alisa Zawodny has been named the new dean of students for Thomas Jefferson Junior High School in Woodridge. Zawodny's appointment becomes effective immediately, following a unanimous vote by the Woodridge School District 68 Board of Education on July 25.

"We are so excited to welcome Alisa to our Jefferson family," Justin Warnke, principal of Thomas Jefferson Junior High, said in a statement.

Warnke added, "Alisa is a relationship-focused educator who believes in holding students to high academic and behavioral expectations. The experience that she has acquired during her teaching and coaching career has shaped her as a professional and will ensure her success as a Dean."

Zawodny earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education at Eastern Michigan University before earning a masters degree in school leadership from Concordia Chicago and a masters degree in educational leadership K-12 from Northern Arizona University.

Prior to her appointment at Dean, Zawodny served as an instructional coach, special education extended school year administrator and principal intern at Willow Creek Elementary School over the past four years. She previously taught fourth grade at ACERO Charter School Network in Chicago after starting her career teaching at Cartwright School District 83 in Arizona.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue working as a school leader within the Woodridge community!" Zawodny said in a news release.

She added, "While I will miss the Willow Creek team, I am eager to support our junior high aged students in the days to come. I am most looking forward to creating new relationships among families, students, and staff members at Jefferson Junior High."