Jennifer Gorton

Education leader with extensive experience providing instructional leadership, operational oversight, and program supervision in district-based classroom and school settings. Proven record of leading curriculum implementation, family engagement initiatives, and strategic communications. Consistently successful in designing K–5 family programs, expanding community partnerships, and leading cross-functional teams that drive measurable gains in teacher participation, family awareness, and student engagement.

Parent Academy Program Director - Chicago Heights School District 170 - Chicago Heights, Illinois

(2015-08)

District-level leader for a comprehensive family engagement initiative supporting K–5 instructional programming and student success, currently working in nine district K-5 schools, partnering with 54 classroom teachers to serve over 900 students through twice-a-month curriculum-aligned home learning extensions.

• Collaborate with teaching teams to align instructional programming with district curriculum pacing guides, assessment calendars, and Common Core learning standards. Design, implement, and evaluate curriculum-aligned instructional materials, producing 100+ Google Slides annually to deliver standards-based home learning extensions across ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and STEM content areas.
• Facilitate data collection and analysis to monitor student participation, family engagement, and instructional impact of program materials.
• Provided coaching and oversight to colleagues on researching, developing, and submitting grant proposals, resulting in multiple awards supporting ELA, Math, and STEM initiatives across various school sites.
• Enhanced district-wide communication effort by leading the development and implementation of coordinated social media campaigns, community outreach materials, and quarterly newsletters aligned to district priorities and strategic initiatives. These efforts resulted in a 200% increase in social media followers and significantly higher engagement rates across platforms since August 2025.

Preschool-For-All Program Director – Highland School - Chicago Heights School District 170 - Chicago Heights, Illinois

(2014-07 - 2015-06)

Served as on-site administrator for a Pre-K program supporting six teaching teams and an enrollment of over 200 students in a half-day program. Supported comprehensive operational oversight, including grant-funding management and budgeting, curriculum implementation, staffing, student services, transportation, and food service.

• Developed and facilitated a comprehensive professional development calendar aligned to program goals and Illinois Early Learning Standards.
• Implemented assessment schedules and progress monitoring systems to strengthen instructional consistency and improve student outcomes.
• Coordinated family outreach and enrollment processes in collaboration with district leadership and community partners.

Assistant Principal - CHECC - Chicago Heights School District 170 - Chicago Heights, Illinois

(2010-08 - 2014-06)

Founding leadership team member for a large-scale, grant-funded early childhood research initiative developed in partnership with the University of Chicago and Harvard University; supported Principal Investigators, research assistants, education consultants, and district leadership to ensure program success and research fidelity. Served as on-site administrator for preschool campus with five teaching teams and enrollment of 100 students in a full-day program. Oversaw daily operations, including curriculum implementation, staffing, student data systems, transportation, and family engagement, while providing instructional leadership and administrative oversight.

• Facilitated planning, delivery, and monitoring of curriculum-specific professional development to ensure alignment with research design, program goals, and Illinois Early Learning Standards, and to maintain high levels of curriculum fidelity across classrooms.
• Participated in staff recruitment, hiring, mentoring, and performance feedback in accordance with district procedures.
• Developed communication materials to introduce and support CHECC's mission and programming initiatives to district and community stakeholders.

Master of Arts - Principal Preparation - Concordia University - Chicago (2025)

Master of Education - Teaching & Learning (Elementary Education) - DePaul University, Chicago (2000)

Bachelor of Arts - Speech Communication - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1988)