Illinois State Board of Education
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Agenda Status Legend

  • gray status Informational Meeting Only- No programs
  • green status Agenda is open for programs presentations
  • yellow status Agenda is nearing capacity for program presentations
  • red status Agenda is full for program presentations​​​

The Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) is a governing body under the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) that oversees the approval and regulation of educator preparation programs across the state. Its primary responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing and approving new and existing educator preparation programs offered by colleges and universities in Illinois.
  • Ensuring compliance with state standards for teacher licensure and preparation.
  • Advising the State Superintendent of Education on matters related to educator licensure and preparation.
  • Maintaining quality and consistency in teacher education to support effective teaching and learning in Illinois schools.

The board is composed of a diverse group of members, including educators, administrators, and representatives from higher education institutions. They meet regularly—typically bi-monthly—to evaluate program proposals and make recommendation​

Members

School Code Documentation of Term App​ointment for Board Members ​​105/ILSC 5/21B.​​​​​

​FY 20​27 Membership List

Member
 Position Length of Term
Tony Sanders, Ph.D.
Chairman		 State Superintendent of Education
Illinois State Board of Education
Springfield, Illinois
Dr. Sydney Morris
Chair Designee​ 		Chief Education Officer - Instruction
Illinois State Board of Education
Chicago, Illinois
Ms. Emily Fox
Secretary 		Director​
Educator Effectiveness Department
Illinois State Board of Education
Springfield, Illinois
Dr. Christina Borders Professor, D/deaf and Hard of Hearing
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois		 First Term: 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2029
Dr. Kate Connor Faculty
Truman College
City Colleges of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois		 First Term: 1/26/2026 - 6/30/2028
Dr. Codi Conway Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Washington Grade School District 52
Washington, Illinois		 First Term: 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2029
Dr. Marlon Cummings Chair
Division of Education and Leadership
Governors State University
University Park, Illinois		 First Term: 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2029
April Darringer Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Early Childhood
John Wood Community College
Quincy, Illinois		 First Term: 1/26/2026 - 6/30/2028
Karen Englemann Teacher
Cobden Unit School District #17
Cobden, Illinois 		First Term: 7/01/2025 - 6/30/2028
Shannon Fehrholz Regional Superintendent
Regional Office of Education 51
Springfield, Illinois 		First Term: 7/01/2025 - 6/30/2028
Mari Garvonado Teacher
Rutledge Hall
Lincolnwood, Illinois		 First Term: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2027
Nicole Gas
 Teacher
Northbrook Junior High School
Northbrook District 28
Northbrook, Illinois		 First Term: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2027
Rachel Juarez Teacher
Yorkville High School District 115
Yorkville, Illinois
 Second Term: 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2028
Danny Kim Director, Talent Acquisition
Chicago Public Schools District 299
Chicago, Illinois		 First Term: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2027
Bridget Lahart Teacher
Medinah Primary School
Medinah School District 11
Medinah, Illinois 		Second Term: 7/01/2026 - 06/30/2029
Dr. Jay Mehta Teacher
Adlai E. Stevenson High School District 125
Lincolnshire, Illinois		 Second ​Term: 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2028
Dr. Jennifer Olson Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
College of Eduation
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, Illinois		 First Term: 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2028
William Marion Polasky III Teacher
Stillman Valley High School
Meridian C.U.S.D. #223
Stillman Valley, Illinois 		First Term: 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2028
Monica Rojas Teacher
Donald J. Marquez Elementary School – Acero Charter School Network
Chicago Public Schools District 299
Chicago, Illinois		 Second Term: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2027
Kristen Ryan Teacher
Ohio Community Grade School District 17
Ohio, IL		 Second Term: 07/01/2026 - 06/30/2029
Dr. Josephine Tabet Sarvis Director of the School of Education
Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois		 Second Term: 01/01/2025 - 06/30/2028
Connor See Chair of Undergraduate Special Education
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois		 First Term: 07/01/2026 - 06/30/2029
Jeannine Woods Teacher
Haines Elementary School
Chicago Public Schools District 299
Chicago, Illinois		 First Term: 01/01/2025 - 06/30/2027
Dr. April Zawlocki Professor of Education
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois		 First Term: 01/26/2026 - 06/30/2028
Open Seat ​
Nkechi Onwuameze, Ph.D.
 Ex-Officio Member​​​
 ​
Marcus Brown Ex-Officio Member​​​
 ​

Schedule and Procedures
  • Schedule
  • Public P​articipation Policy ​PDF Document

  • Procedures: *UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

    The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board meetings are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted on final agenda.

    Meeting Location: Illinois State Board of Education, 100 North First Street, Springfield, Illinois, Fourth Floor Board Room unless otherwise noted on final agenda.​​​​​​

Reference Material

Meetings

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Contact Information