Dr. Ehren Jarrett Superintendent Rockford Public Schools, District 205
High marks Dr. Ehren Jarrett has seen Rockford school superintendents come and go, mostly people from outside the city who serve short terms before leaving. Now that’s changed. The former Hononegah High School principal is the new leader of the Rockford Public School District, bringing the knowledge and commitment of a lifelong Rockford resident to the job. “I really believe we can be successful here,” says Jarrett, 39. “It matters to me that Rockford thrives and I think our educational system has in many ways been one of our key challenges. I think there’s a passion I have for being part of our success here in Rockford that would be hard to replicate if you didn’t grow up in the community.” Jarrett attended Bloom Elementary School, Rockford Lutheran and Rock Valley College before going to Concordia University in River Forest for an education degree; he also earned advanced education degrees from Northern Illinois University. Choosing a teaching career was a natural fit for Jarrett, who loved school and who has two grandmothers and several aunts who are teachers. Jarrett also was influenced by coaches and became both a teacher and hoops coach himself, first at Rockford Lutheran and then at Hononegah. He moved into administration at Hononegah before becoming an assistant superintendent in Rockford in 2011. He took over the top job in July. Among Jarrett’s immediate priorities as superintendent: overseeing the new Alignment Rockford initiative to transform city high schools into career academies; improving facilities ($250 million is planned in improvements over the next 10 years); and holding meetings with employees at all district schools to “improve and build our culture.” Long-term goals include free college for all district residents and universal pre-school education. Jarrett, who is married with two children in Rockford public schools, says he very much misses the daily student interaction he experienced while teaching and coaching. “But I like what I’m doing now even more,” he says. “I feel like I get the opportunity to develop an entire educational system and be involved at the policy level. It’s a unique challenge and something I really enjoy doing.”
By Lorna Collier
One One Pub 2013B.indd 33
November 2013
» 33
10/31/13 12:05 PM