District 88 appoints new Assistant Principal at Willowbrook

During its Dec. 12 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to name Curtis Tate (pictured above) as Willowbrook’s new Assistant Principal, effective Jan. 1, 2023. He will succeed Alena Edwards, who will serve as District 88's Director of Student Services.

Tate joined District 88 in 2010 and has served as a dean at Addison Trail and Willowbrook. At Addison Trail, he quickly became a leader within the department by presenting creative solutions to student attendance and discipline that helped create a positive school culture. Specifically, Tate was integral in bringing restorative practices to the department. He attended workshops and brought the process back to campus and assisted the other deans in implementing this initiative.

Tate had the opportunity to become a dean at Willowbrook and jumped at the chance to work in a new building with a new team, where he continued to be a leader. Tate also coached football at Addison Trail for several years and was the sponsor of Addison Trail’s BSU (Black Student Union). He helped empower students to have a voice and provided multiple opportunities for staff to learn what it is like to be a black student at District 88.

Beyond his work as a dean, Tate has a professional educator license to teach physical education, health and special education. Before coming to District 88, Tate worked at Niles Township High School District 219 from 2001 to 2010. He graduated from Downers Grove South High School, earned his bachelor’s degree from North Park University and earned his master’s degree in administration and leadership from Concordia University.