Oak Lawn Community High School’s Board of Education is made up of community members of varying backgrounds. Kathy Berry is one such member. Kathy and her husband Eamonn are the proud parents of daughter Ciara, who graduated from Oak Lawn Community High School in 2015 and is attending Valparaiso University, and daughter Aisling, who is a current OLCHS junior. Kathy is the Secretary and the AERO representative for the school board, a PTSA member and former chair of the Reflections and Membership committees, and a Booster member. In addition, Kathy served as the girls’ volleyball coordinator and coach at St. Geralds, was the president of the St. Gerald’s Mother’s Club, and currently volunteers at Abide in Me, an organization that assists adults with disabilities.
Kathy has a BA in Elementary Education from North Central College in Naperville and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. She has worked in education for over 25 years as a teacher, coach, Director of Professional Development, and Vice President of Operations. Most recently, Kathy was the Assistant Principal at Holy Angels Catholic School.
Kathy believes that every student has the opportunity to excel academically, be supported emotionally, and be engaged socially at OLCHS; it is a diverse and inclusive high school. Furthermore, she is certain that every student, no matter what interest or talent, can participate in a club, sport or organization that is led by a caring, skilled adult. Mrs. Berry is proud of the success of the iPad initiative and that OLCHS is leading and teaching others how to enhance their curriculum and prepare students with 21st century skills.
In the future, Kathy hopes to see students carrying lighter backpacks when all teachers have fully embraced the iPad initiative where fewer textbooks are used. She also is confident that OLCHS will provide additional resources and activities for students outside of the school day so that school is a place where students want to socialize in a safe and nurturing environment in the afternoons and evenings.