Debi Iams Springfield School District 186

There will be a forum TONIGHT regarding the Sangamon County Mental Health Board tax increase at the Jerome Civic Center. Get educated!

Did a teacher help your child believe in themselves?

Did an administrator create a school where your student felt seen and supported?

Is there a new teacher who’s already making a big impact in a short time?

Now is your chance to say thank you ❤️

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Horace Mann–Springfield School District 186 Educator of the Year, Administrator of the Year, and Rising Star awards. Anyone in our community, parents, caregivers, students, and staff is welcome to nominate someone who made a difference in a student’s life.

For 39 years, Horace Mann has honored excellence in education by recognizing outstanding teachers, dedicated administrators, and rising stars who are shaping bright futures every day.

🗓 Nominations are due by Friday, February 27, 2026
🔗 Applications are available on the District website or here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemI9xYQA8j8DRjLfBcdS-oDSWmoSQbxINGdySqxhUbo0bFMw/viewform

I look forward to working with our new superintendent and the District 186 school board. Congratulations Dr. Jordan!

The Springfield Public Schools District 186 Board of Education is recommending Dr. Terrance Jordan as the District’s next superintendent. The Board is expected to vote on Dr. Jordan’s appointment at an upcoming Board meeting. If approved, Dr. Jordan will succeed Superintendent Jennifer Gill, who will retire from the District on June 30, 2026.

Dr. Terrance Jordan is a career educator and a familiar, trusted presence within Springfield Public Schools District 186. He began his service to District 186 as a kindergarten teaching assistant in 2003. He then served as a library technology specialist and parent educator. These positions helped shape his career path and were a stepping stone into his continuing education. He became a beloved teacher at Dubois, Feitshans and Enos elementary schools while also earning his administrative license. Dr. Jordan went on to serve as a guidance dean at Washington Middle School and in 2014 was named principal of Black Hawk Elementary.

Dr. Jordan joined District Administration in 2021 and currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Family, Community, and School Leadership. In this role, he has worked tirelessly alongside our schools and community leaders to strengthen relationships with families, improve school experiences and expand programs and opportunities for students across the District.

Board representative Buffy Lael-Wolf said Dr. Jordan stood out from a broad slate that included both internal and external candidates. “We are confident that the best candidate rose to the top after a competitive search that included surveys, interviews and focus groups involving staff, families, students and community members.” She noted that Dr. Jordan consistently demonstrated the priorities identified by the Board, including community connection, strategic leadership, and a focus on student achievement.

“Dr. Jordan brings both vision and heart to this role,” Lael-Wolf added.“ He understands our district because he has lived our work. He knows our students, our families and our schools, and he has earned trust through years of service. We are confident he will lead District 186 with integrity, purpose and unwavering commitment to student success.”

Pending Board approval, Dr. Jordan will begin his role as superintendent on July 1, 2026.

Parents, please engage with your children. We do not want any children from Springfield to be involved in trafficking. Protect the kids!

Please take time to complete this survey. Even if you do not have children registered in District 186, the largest portion of your property tax bill is for the District. Please give us a wide cross section of resident responses to help make the best decision. Thank you.

As you know, the Springfield Public Schools District 186 Board of Education has begun the process of conducting a search for the district’s next permanent superintendent, who will begin on July 1, 2026.

The selection of a superintendent is probably the most important decision a Board of Education will make; therefore, the Board has enlisted the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) to assist with this process.

One of the first major tasks is to identify the traits, skills, and characteristics that are most important for the next superintendent to possess. Therefore, the Board of Education is seeking the input of stakeholders to help with this. The Board invites and encourages all staff, parents/guardians, and interested community members to complete a brief online survey provided by the IASB.

The survey for staff/parents/community members can be accessed here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHZH5R7

The survey deadline is September 27, 2025 at 11:45 p.m.

The results of the surveys will be compiled by IASB and used to develop the “Ideal Candidate Traits” that will be included in the advertising brochure. This information will be shared at an upcoming Board meeting. Survey responses are anonymous; no names will be attached.

Thank you in advance for providing your feedback on this survey and for your interest in the superintendent search.

What a great positive tip! Thanks to our 186 teachers who come up with innovative and effective methods to teach!

If you're wondering why there's an old school landline phone mounted to the wall behind me (with no cord🤣)... it's one of my favorite behavior management techniques...
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I pick up that phone (sometimes carry it around the room as I talk 🤣) ...and report a child's GOOD behavior! **GOOD THINGS ONLY! But I don't call mom or dad (Although it’s important to do that too!)...
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I call Batman, or Minnie Mouse, or the Paw Patrol (whoever that child would get excited about☺️)... I get everyone's attention by loudly asking, "Yes, is this Spider-Man?....(the kids all start looking at each other)
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"Hey, ya, thanks...I just wanted to call and say YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE what John is doing right now...no I'm serious! He's keeping his hands to himself and he didn’t give up while doing his letter work this morning! I KNOW! He's practicing patience by raising his hand AND he helped me hand out stickers to kids who were being kind during breakfast.. Ok, I'll tell him! ....Yay!! Thanks Spider-Man. Ok, talk to you later."
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***You can call about ANY behavior! There’s something great to call about for every child! YOU know when they are doing their OWN personal best, and that’s worth celebrating! ❤️❤️
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Hang up. Pass on the important message, "Spider-Man said 'You should be proud.''...And then... you just carry on with what you were doing...
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The kids think it's HILARIOUS, but more importantly, everyone hears the emphasis put on that behavior----and the best part? Every time I call about a behavior, I can be almost certain--I'll see that behavior again very soon!🤗

❤️💙FOLLOW Tried and True Teacher Tips for more!!!

▶️▶️Want more POSITIVE strategies that ACTUALLY work?? I’ve got 19 for you!! 🌿 👇🏻👇🏾👇🏿READ THE FIRST COMMENT!)

Keep thanking the unsung employees in 186.

Care Closet initiative supports students in District 186 schools SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — What began as an idea during the COVID-19 pandemic is now making a significant impact on students across all District 186 schools. The Care