Leah
Piekarz

Advocacy

based on

Experience

District 202

School Board Member

Term:
May, 2023
through
May, 2027

As an Evanston resident of 22 years, ETHS counselor for 21 years (now retired), part of a family with 2 ETHS alumni, and an educator (both teacher and counselor) for 28 years, I have knowledge, insight, and a complete student-educator-community perspective.

This generation of high school students is both similar and unique compared to other generations. They have been living through a pandemic which has greatly impacted their educational experience, their mental health, and their socialization. They live with the threat that climate change poses for their future, concern about gun violence and school safety and the associated trauma, and the bitter political division in our society.

MY PLATFORM

  • EQUITY & INCLUSION

    We must continue and evolve in our work to create an equitable learning environment for all of our students.

  • COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

    We need to support all students in their post-high school planning, empowering them with the knowledge and skills that enable them to pursue the multiple pathways available to them.

  • SEL & SUPPORT

    In today’s world, it is imperative that we incorporate social-emotional learning and support in all that we do, and that we approach our work with students both with high expectations and empathy.

  • STUDENT VOICE

    We have to listen to what students are saying about what makes school relevant, meaningful, and inspiring to them.

  • FACULTY & STAFF SUPPORT

    Faculty and staff must be supported in order to best serve our students, and in turn, our community. This means cutting edge professional development, and the time and space to reflect upon practice and grow. We must do better in the recruiting and retention of educators of color.

  • SCHOOL SAFETY

    We must ensure all students feel safe in school - not only physically but also emotionally. We must continue to affirm their individual identities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • EDUCATION

    Northern Illinois University - M.S. Ed., School Counseling

    University of Illinois Chicago - M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction

    University of Virginia - B.A., Spanish Language and Linguistics

  • PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

    Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling

    National Association for College Admission Counseling

    Illinois Education Association (IEA)

    National Education Association (NEA)

  • TEACHING, COUNSELING, & COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

    Evanston Township High School, 2001 - 2022

    • School Counselor / Lead Counselor (12 years)

    • ETHS Scholarships Co-Facilitator, 12 years

    • AVID Counselor, 14 years (AVID is a college and career readiness program.)

    Lynbrook Public Schools, Lynbrook, NY and Community High School District #218, Oak Lawn & Palos Heights, IL

    • High School Spanish Teacher

    • International Student Exchange Coordinator

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    • Application Reviewer

    The Gates Scholarship

    • Interviewer (volunteer position)

  • OTHER INVOLVEMENT

    District Equity Leadership Team (DELT) at Evanston Township High School

    My involvement in race & equity work has included serving as a facilitator of Courageous Conversation groups, co-leading a Race & Equity Professional Development Strand, and participating on the Equity in Action Steering Committee at ETHS.

    Teachers’ Council Executive Committee

    • Elected for 6 three-year terms

    • Served on two contract negotiations teams

    Post-Secondary Planning / ICAP Committee (8 years) at ETHS

    Latino QUEST Co-Sponsor, 2001-2006, a club providing a voice for the ETHS Latinx student body

ENDORSEMENTS

Alana Amaker

Patty Barbato

Camille Blachowicz

Sharon Boris, LCSW

Nichole Boyd

Betty Brucato

Denise Brown

Martha Burns

Sara Burson

Delois Burts

Marcia Caulkins

Denise Chaitkin

David Chan

Julie Chernoff

Beth Christiansen

Angela Crimmin

Ashlee Cummings

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF EVANSTON

Anthony King

Dr. Katherine Lauterbach

Alison Loeppert

Stephen Lucas

Nicole & Perry Marks

Denise Martin

Madeline Matsis

Kelliann McArthur

Patricia McPherson

Lisa Miceli

Edward Michael

Lisa Oberman

Vaishali Patel

Kathy & Dave Piekarz

Loretta Piekarz

Anya Pierce

Roz Pollack

Kristen Diaz

Terrence Donnelly

Della Dotson

Glynis & Dan Doyle

Tina Dreher

Bruce Eddy

Dawn Eddy

ETHS TEACHERS’ COUNCIL

Bill Farmer

Shelley Gates

Amy Goldberg

Traece Graham

Johnathan Hadley

Alicia Hart

Rachel & Sasha Hayman

Brian Johnson

Suzanne & Dan Kanter

Nancy Kellman

Cait Rechel

Ann Searles

Marla Seibold

Evangeline Semark

Benjamin, Elli & Jeff Simon

Julian & Susan Sotnick

Susan Spillane

Kimberley Spivey

Susan Stroh

Heather Sweeney

Matt Walsh

Ken & Leslie Wenzel

Charity Williams-Hadley

Crystal Williams

Roger Williams

LaTrisha Woods

Jim Young

Edward Zwirner

Many thanks to all who made a donation to support my campaign. Your contribution was an important factor in the success of my campaign.

A copy of our report filed with the State Board of ­Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website (www.elections.il.gov)
or for ­purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.