John Rodgers brings the dual perspectives of classroom teacher and administrator to the superintendency of Crete-Monee School District. A native of Chicago, who began his career in education as an elementary-school teacher at Calumet Park Junior High School in the south suburbs of Chicago, he combines academic acumen with the keen ability to understand the needs of teachers and students. Before being appointed superintendent of Crete-Monee School District in March 2007, Dr. Rodgers had served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction since 2000.

Dr. Rodgers strongly believes that the basis of a robust education begins with effective teachers that are committed to the belief that all students can learn. He also believes that the act of teaching and student learning must go hand in hand. Good teaching should produce student learning and student learning should be a result of good teaching.

Dr. Rodgers’ educational philosophy was shaped in the classroom and honed by postgraduate work at Northern Illinois University where he recently completed his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership in May of 2010. Dr. Rodgers is a veteran administrator with over 20 years of experience in education, half of which has been spent in the Crete-Monee School District. He has served as principal of the former Hickory Elementary School and Balmoral Elementary School, formerly known as Crete-Monee Intermediate Center.

In 1994, he was appointed the Director of Curriculum for the district. In 1996 he was asked to spearhead the opening of a new school, The Crete-Monee Intermediate Center, which was to be a model technology center for the district. Dr. Rodgers was responsible for running the half million dollar technology program which served 700 students in the district.

Dr. Rodgers holds a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi, an educational specialist degree in Educational Administration with a superintendent’s endorsement from Lewis University and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Illinois University.

He is a member of the Large Unit District Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Reading Association, and the National Staff Development Council.