Willowbrook Principal named 2021 Herman Graves Award recipient by Illinois Principals Association

Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause (pictured above) recently received the 2021 Herman Graves Award from the Illinois Principals Association (IPA), an award sponsored by Horace Mann Companies that was established in 1991 to recognize outstanding service to the IPA.

Herman Graves was selected as the first honoree, and the award was established because of the intrinsic contributions he made to the association and his enthusiasm for the profession. Regional winners are chosen from the 21 regional areas of the IPA. From these elite administrators, a state winner is chosen by a committee composed of IPA past presidents.

“Dr. Krause is an exceptional leader,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA Executive Director. “His thoughtful, level-headed manner served his students and learning organization well, but it was critical to helping the IPA navigate the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Krause’s efforts helped ensure the IPA was on strong footing to provide continuous support to our members over the last 18-plus months.”

Krause has been a member of the IPA for 19 years. During that time, he has served on the IPA Board of Directors as President during the 2019-20 school year, State Director on the IPA Board of Directors, Region Board Member and Awards Chairperson for the DuPage Region. He has participated in the IPA Professional Development Committee and planning committees for the IPA Annual Education Leaders Conference. Krause also has represented the IPA at the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Advocacy Conference, has presented at numerous IPA and NASSP conferences and participated in the State Superintendent’s Principal Advisory Committee.

Locally, Krause has served as lead facilitator for the DuPage County High School Principal Collaborative to support the work of leaders throughout the region and beyond in their school improvement initiatives. The program has become a recognized Administrator Academy by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and, through a partnership with University of Illinois at Chicago, participation has expanded to more than 30 education leaders in five IPA regions.

Krause also has been recognized as a finalist for the Golden Apple Stanley C. Golder Leadership Award (2016), IPA DuPage Region High School Principal of the Year (2013), ISBE’s “Those Who Excel” and a previous ISBE Technology Literacy Grant Recipient.

Krause began his career in 1995 as a math teacher at Alan B. Shepard High School. He continued teaching at Niles North High School and eventually served as Director of Mathematics and Science for Niles Township High School District 219. From 2000 to 2002, Krause served as Division Chairperson for Mathematics and Applied Technology at Victor J. Andrew High School. Since 2002, Krause has served as an administrator in DuPage High School District 88. He was an Assistant Principal at Addison Trail and Willowbrook and has been Principal of Willowbrook since 2007.

“Principals and leaders in our region look to Dan for guidance, and he is always genuinely excited to lend an ear and help others process their thinking and their decision-making,” said IPA DuPage Region members. “While Dan’s true passion is with the students he serves, he also is truly dedicated to helping leaders grow. The job of the principal is often lonely; but Dan makes a point to dispel that notion and instead create a network of people in which everyone is included, everyone has a voice, and they all feel part of something bigger. He has been a mentor to many new principals and leaders throughout the state, and they often look to him for guidance and insight.”

Krause resides in New Lenox with his wife, Katie, who serves as Assistant Superintendent for Consolidated High School District 230. He received his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University and his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Loyola University Chicago. Krause also holds a Chief School Business Official Endorsement from Concordia University and a Superintendent Endorsement from Lewis University.

“Dan and I grew up professionally together and have known each other for more than 20 years,” said Dr. Jean Barbanente, District 88 Superintendent. “The respect I have for him is indescribable, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as part of the District 88 family. Our mission at District 88 is to work for the continuous improvement of student achievement, and it’s through the dedicated, passionate and creative leadership of team members like Dan that we’re able to achieve that mission. Through the years, his vision, experience and guidance have helped build futures for the students of District 88. Being named as the 2021 Herman Graves Award recipient is truly a well-deserved honor for a passionate leader, who is committed to his craft.”