HR0480 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, After 35 years in public education, with over half of that spent in school leadership roles, Wil Wagner is a man who has dedicated his life's work to the passionate and unfailing support of thousands of kids; and

WHEREAS, After working in several DuPage County high schools as a Dean, Wil Wagner was named Principal at West Leyden High School in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Wil Wagner's cultural experiences, combined with his school leadership tenures in the surrounding area, made him a leader within the Leyden educational community; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Wil Wagner worked to install a freshmen mentoring program, ACCESS, which has improved the school culture and student leadership opportunities in the building; 2 years later, he initiated a supportive program called "Guided Study" for all sophomores and juniors who received failing grades in core classes; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, Wil Wagner began another program for failing freshmen; unlike Guided Study, which was staffed by teachers, he and the administration facilitated the hour-long study program for freshmen after school; the success of the program has been amazing, as the current rate of freshmen failing multiple classes is below 5%; both programs experienced transformative success and the number of students failing core classes at West Leyden has decreased in almost every year since their inception; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the Leyden District became one of the first 3 districts nationwide to fully implement one to one computing with Google Chromebooks and Google Apps for Education; Wil Wagner has been a calming voice in this innovative transition, helping the school community integrate technology to enhance learning, but always keeping a focus on the best device for learning - the teachers; and

WHEREAS, Under Wil Wagner's leadership, Leyden was named the 2014 National AP School District of the Year by the College Board for raising enrollment and achievement in Advanced Placement classes, especially with minority and at-risk populations; and

WHEREAS, Wil Wagner has also committed to forming strong bonds with the school community; he has forged relationships with the students, parents, and stakeholders at West Leyden by bringing parents into the building through a variety of non-traditional interactions; he personally cooked pancake breakfasts for freshmen parents on Saturday mornings to incentivize parents of struggling students to visit the school; he also sent buses into the community to pick up parents to bring them to teacher conferences and personally visits the homes of students who struggle to attend school; he is relentless in his pursuit of these connections that ultimately lead to greater chances for student success; and

WHEREAS, This past year, Wil Wagner organized a service trip to Mexico for 45 students; after he personally initiated a massive fundraising campaign, Leyden students worked at the "Casa Hogar" orphanage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a week last June; many students described the trip as "life-changing", and another service trip to Mexico is already underway; and

WHEREAS, Wil Wagner is a collaborative leader who has impacted the culture of learning for students and the quality of careers for educators; he commands the highest level of respect from teachers with his ethical decision making, his professional relationships, and a "dreamer's" mindset that anything is possible; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the accomplishments and dedication of Wil Wagner and his service as Principal of West Leyden High School in the City of Northlake; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate Wil Wagner on his many years of service and his retirement from the education profession; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Wil Wagner as a symbol of our esteem and respect.