Board of Education

  • Joseph Kozminski

     

    Joseph Kozminski  

    Current Committee Assignments: Chamber Of Commerce, Student Discipline & Co-Curricular

    Adopt-A-School Assignments: Beebe Elementary, Maplebrook Elementary, Naperville Central HS, Connections

    First elected: 2019

    Current term expires: 2027

    Number of terms served and when: Second term

    Profession/day job: Professor and Chair of Physics at Lewis University

    Relevant degrees/life experience/previous volunteer activities: B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, University of Notre Dame; M.S. in Physics and Ph.D. in Physics from Michigan State University. Physics educator for nearly 15 years, currently as professor and Chair of Physics at Lewis University. Current and prior involvement in faculty governance at Lewis, including College and University Budget Review Committees, Faculty Affairs Committee, and Faculty Senator.  Member, Board of Directors, Advanced Laboratory Physics Association; Former Executive Committee Member, Undergraduate Curriculum Task Force, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT); Recipient of the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to the AAPT; Volunteer at Prairie Elementary; Volunteer youth basketball coach

    Parent of District 203 students: Yes, one student at WJHS and two students at NNHS.

    Educational philosophy:  The goal of our educational system should be ensuring that all students receive a solid academic grounding in core areas (e.g. science/technology/engineering/mathematics (STEM), English and language arts, social science/history/civics) and develop essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication while helping them find and develop their interests and passions and preparing them for success in whatever path they take. Since students bring different experiences and backgrounds to the classroom, students should be met where they are at, challenged appropriately, and provided resources, opportunities, and support to help them achieve. Students also need programming and instruction that help them build social-emotional skills like developing character and empathy, respecting and celebrating diversity, and building a community. Students learn best in a safe, welcoming, inclusive learning environment where they are actively engaged and are supported by the teachers and school staff and by their peers. The district plays a central role in preparing students, academically and socially, to be lifelong learners and informed, responsible citizens able to critically evaluate information, ideas, and opinions and to contribute to a diverse, global society.