News Releases
 May
2004 Employee of the Month:
Barbara Barry, Assistant Director of Student Services
“Barbara is one of the treasures of District 15,” said her nominator. “When a leader was needed in Student Services, she accepted the always-challenging job of balancing the needs of individual students, parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff. Barbara accomplishes it with outstanding professionalism, sensitivity, and respect for all involved.”
Her ability and enthusiasm for her job stems from her positive life philosophy. “I want to be there for each child who needs help,” she says. “The most rewarding part of my career has been working with families as they learn their children have special needs, helping them to identify their children’s strengths so we can build on those, and at the same time, finding ways to accommodate each child’s individual requirements.”
Originally from Oak Park, Barbara intended to enter medical school, graduating from Rosary College (now Dominican University) with a degree in biochemistry. A “life-changing” auto accident caused a shift in her focus from medicine to education. She taught biology and science at Siena High School in Chicago, then earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Northwestern University. Later she earned a master’s in school psychology from the National College of Education (now National-Louis University). Since joining District 15, she has been coordinator of guidance services, school psychologist, coordinator of diagnostic and related services, summer school teacher of creative science, and finally, assistant director of student services. “Although I’ve been here for 34 years, I’ve had a lot of varied experiences,” Barbara comments.
She’s received the Superintendent’s Communication Council Employee Recognition Award twice, the Those Who Excel Award from the Illinois State Board of Education, Palatine’s Outstanding Young Citizen Award, the Regional Youth Services Award of Excellence, and she’s listed in Who’s Who in Education. She is active in her church and is a member of the Citizen Core Council for Heartland Security in Palatine.
Barbara is retiring this year, but she doesn’t anticipate slowing down. She plans to spend more time with her family, including her 95-year-old mother, nine nieces and nephews scattered around the U.S., and thirteen grandnieces and grandnephews. Other activities on her to-do list include learning how to play the violin, a lifelong ambition she’s never had time for; taking a drawing course; reacquainting herself with museums in the big cities of the world; volunteering; and spending time in her house on a lake in Door County, Wisconsin.
“Barbara is a knowledgeable educator, skilled psychologist, excellent communicator, sensitive mediator, and inspiring leader,” her nominator said. “Her positive spirit and sense of humor have enhanced the morale of those who work with her.”
Barb will be recognized at the May 12, 2004, Board of Education meeting, to be held at Winston Campus, at 7 p.m.
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