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 Appointment for Board Members 105/ILSC 5/21B.

**FY 2025 Membership List**
Member	Position	Length of Term
Tony Sanders, Ph.D. Chairman Jason Helfer, Ph.D. Chair Designee	State Superintendent of Education Illinois State Board of Education Springfield, Illinois Deputy Instructional Education Officer Illinois State Board of Education Springfield, Illinois
Emily Fox Secretary	Director Educator Effectiveness Department Illinois State Board of Education Springfield, Illinois
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
Dr. Malik Henfield	Dean and Full Professor School of Education Loyola University Chicago, Illinois	Second Term: 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2026
Dr. Christy Hooser	Associate Dean College of Education Eastern Illinois University Charleston,IL	First Term: 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2026
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	First Term: 7/01/2023 - 06/30/2026
Dr. Jay Mehta	Teacher Wheaton North High School District 200 Wheaton, 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
Dr. Tom Philion	Dean College of Education Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, Illinois	Second Term: 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2026
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	First Term: 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2026
Dr. Josephine Tabet Sarvis	Director of the School of Education Dominican University River Forest, Illinois	First Term: 01/01/2025 - 06/30/2026
Dr. Arturo B. Senteno	Principal West Lyden High School District 212 Northlake, Illinois	Second Term: 07/01/2023 - 06/30/2026
Dr. Kristen Kendrick-Weikle	Superintendent McClean County Unit District No. 5 Normal, Illinois	First Term: 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2027
Jeannine Woods	Teacher Haines Elementary School Chicago Public Schools District 299 Chicago, Illinois	First Term: 01/01/2025 - 06/30/2027
Nkechi Onwuameze, Ph.D.	Ex-Officio Member

Schedule and Procedures

Schedule
- 2026 (Adopted 8/4/2023)
- 2025 (Adopted 8/4/2023)
- 2024 Schedule (Adopted 8/5/2022)
Public Participation Policy
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.