Woodridge Dist. 68 appoints new junior high dean of students

The Woodridge District 68 School Board unanimously appointed Alisa Zawodny as the new dean of students at Thomas Jefferson Junior High School.

The appointment was made at the board’s meeting July 25, according to a news release.

Zawodny has been with District 68 since 2018 as an instructional coach at Willow Creek Elementary School. She also has served as a principal intern and special education extended school year administrator. Before joining District 68, Zawodny was a fourth grade teacher at ACERO Charter School Network in Chicago. She began her career at Cartwright School District 83 in Phoenix.

“We are so excited to welcome Alisa to our Jefferson family,” Justin Warnke, principal at Thomas Jefferson Junior High, said in the release. “Alisa is a relationship focused educator who believes in holding students to high academic and behavioral expectations. The experience that she has acquired during her teaching and coaching career has shaped her as a professional and will ensure her success as a dean. Her expertise in instructional practices, proven success with classroom management and knowledge of building a brain-friendly learning environment will truly benefit our students, staff and community. I am excited to have the opportunity to serve alongside and learn from Alisa.”

Zawodny earned a master’s degree in school leadership from Concordia University Chicago, a master’s degree in educational leadership K-12 from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education K-5 from Eastern Michigan University.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue working as a school leader within the Woodridge community,” Zawodny said in the release. “While I will miss the Willow Creek team, I am eager to support our junior high-aged students in the days to come. I am most looking forward to creating new relationships among families, students and staff members at Jefferson Junior High.”