Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the Gordon School family! As the principal of Gordon School, I am excited to welcome both new and returning families to what promises to be an exciting and productive school year. Our dedicated team of educators and staff are committed to creating a nurturing and challenging environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
At Gordon School, we believe that a strong partnership between home and school is key to our students' success. We value your involvement and encourage you to be an active participant in your child’s education. Whether it’s through attending parent-teacher conferences, volunteering in the classroom, or participating in school events, your engagement makes a difference.
This year, we continue to focus on student attendance. We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But we also know that when students miss too much school regardless of the reason it can cause them to fall behind academically. Absences can add up quickly. Students are less likely to succeed academically if they miss 10% or more of instructional days over the course of the school year, this means missing about two days of school per month or about 17 days per year.
Communication is essential, and we are committed to keeping you informed about your child’s progress and school events. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or to me with any questions or concerns. You can also stay up to date with school news by visiting our School ClassDojo and reading our monthly newsletters.
As we embark on this journey together, I am confident that we will achieve great things. I look forward to getting to know each of you and working together to make this a successful year for your child.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in our school.
Mrs. McKinney
Presenting our 2 new Assistant Principals!
My name is Dr. Amos K. Vaughn II, assistant principal, and I’m honored to work with Mrs. McKinney-principal and Mrs. Marsela-assistant principal here at Gordon Elementary. I have worked in the public and private school sector for over twenty five years. In addition, I have taught preschool, kindergarten, primary, intermediate and middle school grades and I have worked in school administration for over ten years. I have a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and School Leadership and received my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University at River Forest-Chicago in 2015. I have a strong passion for educating our students and I’m dedicated to providing a positive learning environment by ensuring they learn and grow from a holistic perspective-always focusing on the whole child. I enjoy fitness, bodybuilding, traveling and conducting research from time to time.
My name is Marsela Rodriguez, I am the new Assistant Principal at John Gordon elementary School. I was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. I have been living in Chicago for the past 26 years. I began my professional journey as a Public Accountant. Although my career started in the financial sector, my true passion has always been in education. Driven by my passion for education, I went back to school and obtained a Master's degree in Urban Education. Additionally, I have earned endorsements in Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language, as well as a Master's degree in Instructional Leadership.
I have been working at Posen-Robbins School District 143 ⅓ for the last 12 years. I started as a 1st grade bilingual teacher at Gordon School. Over the years, I have taken on various responsibilities while working in the district such as: After-School Program Coordinator, most recently Bilingual Coach and Bilingual Parents Advisory Committee Member.
My journey as an English as a Second Language learner has provided me a deep understanding of the challenges facing by our bilingual students. I embrace the diversity of our school, and I am committed to meeting the needs of all our students. The experience I have gained over the years has equipped me with the confidence and skills to embark in my new role as an Assistant Principal at Gordon School. I am exhilarated to continue working and collaborating with all the stakeholders to provide an outstanding education for our children, so they can become productive and responsible citizens in our society.
