School District 200U 4-Year Board Candidate: Adriana Diachenko

Home Address/years in the school district: 250 Maple St, Beecher, IL 60401; My family and I have lived in Beecher for over 17 years and each of our 3 kids attend Beecher 200U schools and have since kindergarten.

Community Involvement: For over 5 years I served as the Hospitality Chair for the Beecher PTO, volunteered as a class parent for all 3 of my children at BES, and volunteered at numerous PTO and BYC events along with other community events over my 17 years living in Beecher. My husband and I have both coached with MYSA Soccer and he has been a long time Beecher Rec coach and I have coached with Little Rascals TBall. When our boys were younger I spent 7 years volunteering as a Den Leader and Committee Chair for Crete (Beecher) Cub Scout Pack 123.

Organization/Club Memberships: Member of International Literacy Association and Secondary Reading League; Professional Organization- Teacher & Reading Specialist

•2014- Illinois Exemplary Reading Program Award from the International Reading Association- as a teacher in the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Reading Department

•2005/2006: Illinois Those Who Excel Reading Dept.Team (Excellence ranking)

Professional Background: For over 24 years I have been a classroom teacher and coach at the high school level. I earned a BA in English and Secondary Education from Loyola University of Chicago (1999); Masters of Education in Literacy, Reading & Learning Disabilities DePaul University (2003); Masters of Arts in School Improvement and Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University (2009). I began my teaching career at Bloom Township HS teaching English and coaching softball for 4 years. Since 2004 I have been a reading specialist at Homewood- Flossmoor HS in Flossmoor. My professional experience has led me to work with students in general education, special education, coaching multiple sports and being involved in all aspects of reading education. I have presented and attended conferences across the country in reading/literacy, technology, and behavior management among other topics.

Family: I reside in Beecher with my husband of 20 years Brian, Sons Nathan (BHS Junior), Logan (BJHS 8th grade) and daughter Kacey (BES 2nd grade). My mother, Fenisia, is also a Beecher resident as well as our cat Coco and dogs Cooper and Hudson.

Why did you decide to run for this position? Our schools are the backbone to our community and need supportive, invested and prepared board members at the table. When I look at Beecher schools I see a rich tradition of excellence and community that is moving forward to continue to provide a solid foundation for our students both in and out of the classroom. My desire to serve the community is to bring an open, rational and logical mind to our board without outside influences or agenda guiding me. I feel a strong sense of responsibility and passion to work with our schools to continually improve education for all children in Beecher. The last few years have seen some turmoil with our board and personal agendas brought to the table. I hope to bring independent thinking to the board because I do not have an agenda or local affiliation driving me.

What qualifications / experience do you feel you possess for this position? As a 25 year veteran teacher with 3 children in the Beecher school district I bring a wealth of knowledge and resources. With having children in each of the 3 buildings and being an involved parent I have a unique perspective with a variety of experiences. Additionally,  my professional experience in education brings knowledge in special and general education, technology, behavior management and curriculum. Through my volunteer work and personal drive I have a desire not just to be involved in our schools but work with them to make a positive impact in our community and advocate for the needs of all Beecher families. I am an open, honest, insightful educator making decisions with equity and integrity.

What do you hope to accomplish? My hope is to work with our administration, staff, community and fellow board members to achieve the goals that have been set forth by all stakeholders. My hope is that over the 4 years of my term the team I am working with will have improved our facilities, educational experience, extra curricular offerings and continue to build pride in our schools.

•District Finances to ensure we can continue to provide services, quality education and extra-curriculars for our students.

•Continued work and improvements in our facilities

•Continued investment in academic offerings for students in the trades, military and college to keep our graduates competitive in any direction post-high school.

•Fiscal responsibility to continue to provide top quality education

What would you like people to know about you? I am a kind, open, approachable and resourceful person. If I do not know an answer I will find out and I am willing to work with and listen to each person in our community. I do not come to this election with an agenda, a purpose or outside influences. I have no affiliation or ties with any local or national groups or nor align myself with any one organization. I am here for the kids and the community. I am proud of where my kids go to school, where we live and I support public education!