Rachel Bednar, principal, Edison Middle School, Wheaton
Nominated by Wheaton-Warrenville Community Unit School District 200 Superintendent Jeff Schuler, Rachel Bednar is recognized for placing a high value on health education that has yielded a 92 percent attendance rate at Edison.
She and her staff also are heralded for preparing students academically for college and careers, establishing a culture in which all teachers feel a strong sense of ownership for student mastery of informational text standards.
Her leadership at Edison also helps teachers to discover opportunities for improvement and to grow from them.
“Ms. Bednar has an exemplary process for mentoring new teachers which ensures that all of the academic, physical health and social emotional wellness initiatives which benefit all Edison students continue to be a vital part of the school’s culture,” Schuler wrote. “She understands that teachers, like students, need to know that a leader cares before they care what the leader knows.”
