District 88 appoints new District Student Success Coordinator

During its Dec. 11 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s recommendation to name VaLarie Humphrey (pictured at right) as the district’s new Student Success Coordinator.

Humphrey joined Addison Trail in 2021-22 and immediately made an impact as the school’s part-time Student Success Coordinator. The district looks forward to having Humphrey work with Willowbrook students as well.

“Humphrey has an innate ability to connect with students and staff and push them to reach their full potential, while providing the support they need,” said Dr. Jean Barbanente, District 88 Superintendent. “Public education can be challenging to navigate, and Humphrey does it in a way that calls people in to work together toward achieving excellence for all students. Her enthusiasm and passion to ensure a welcoming environment is contagious, and she inspires all those around her to be better.”

Humphrey has more than 35 years of experience in education and travels the world as a motivational/transformational speaker. She was an educator in Chicago Public Schools and Bellwood School District 88, served as a Principal with Quad County Urban League, was an administrator with Indian Prairie School District 204 and is a professor at Aurora University, where she will earn her doctorate in Educational Leadership: Coaching and Mentoring in 2024. Humphrey earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and her master’s degree in General Administration from Benedictine University.

Humphrey’s personal journey of perseverance provides a unique perspective to encourage students to accomplish their goals. Her focus is to make sure each student succeeds, and she does so by fostering an inclusive environment and authentic relationships with each child and his/her family members and teachers.

Below are several examples of the positive effects Humphrey has implemented at Addison Trail. She is excited to bring similar influences to Willowbrook.

• Humphrey runs an intervention program for African American students during the school’s resource period.
  
  
• Humphrey completes “B.A.G.” checks for each student on her caseload, which stands for behavior, attendance and grades.
  
  
• Humphrey educates students about the importance and value of the SAT.
  
  
• Humphrey sponsors the school’s BEYOND Club, which provides mentorship and academic support for African American students to enable them to thrive holistically in high school and BEYOND. About 85 percent of the school’s African American population is part of this group.
  
  
• Humphrey founded several events to empower and assist students.
  
  
• Humphrey hosts meetings for African American parents and frequently contacts them to discuss their child’s successes and areas for improvement.

“Humphrey greets everyone with a warm smile, an aura of positive energy and her catchphrase, ‘Be amazing on purpose,’ Dr. Barbanente said. “That statement is more than just words for Humphrey – it’s a motto to live by. And her passion is to make sure students embody that philosophy as well.”