Illinois Superintendent Dr. Sonya Whitaker
An accomplished educator with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Sonya Whitaker has held positions as classroom teacher, principal, and director of literacy. Currently, she is the superintendent for Fairmont School District 89, in Lockport, Illinois, where she has helped to significantly improve the district’s credit score rating and financial rating. Previously, Dr. Sonya Whitaker was the director for academic improvement for Schaumburg School District 54.
Apart from her role as superintendent, Dr. Whitaker speaks at various national events on topics related to student achievement. In 2013, she moderated the Beyond Bullying Summit, an event in which school administrators and community leaders learned about the role of social-emotional learning in creating safe school environments to optimize student learning. She also delivered the keynote speech at the Virginia School Board Association’s 2013 Tidewater Regional Forum.
Dr. Sonya Whitaker earned a bachelor of arts in early childhood education from Clark Atlanta University and a master of education in leadership and administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also holds a doctor of education in educational leadership and an educational specialist degree from Northern Illinois University.
Apart from her role as superintendent, Dr. Whitaker speaks at various national events on topics related to student achievement. In 2013, she moderated the Beyond Bullying Summit, an event in which school administrators and community leaders learned about the role of social-emotional learning in creating safe school environments to optimize student learning. She also delivered the keynote speech at the Virginia School Board Association’s 2013 Tidewater Regional Forum.
Dr. Sonya Whitaker earned a bachelor of arts in early childhood education from Clark Atlanta University and a master of education in leadership and administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also holds a doctor of education in educational leadership and an educational specialist degree from Northern Illinois University.