February 16, 2016

Organization: Illinois Principals Association

Contact: Jason E. Leahy

Title: Executive Director

Phone: 217-525-1383 • Fax: 217-525-7264

Email:

For Immediate Release

Horace Mann/Illinois Principals Association Name 2016-2017 Elementary School Principal of the Year

Horace Mann and the Illinois Principals Association are pleased to announce that Aimee Kasper, Principal of Kishwaukee Elementary School in Rockford, IL, has been named by the Illinois Principals Association as 2016-2017 Elementary School Principal of the Year. The award recognizes elementary school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community.

Criteria for the award include:

  • Demonstrates positive impact on education and advocacy for children
  • Ensures the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale
  • Demonstrates creativity and imagination in bringing about positive change
  • Willing to take risks to improve student learning
  • Moves actively to implement the goals and objectives of the school
  • Works collaboratively with teachers and other staff to improve the educational program and student achievement
  • Anticipates emerging problems and acts effectively to resolve them
  • Involves the community in the life of the school and uses community resources for students.

Aimee Kasper sets high expectations for herself and her staff and a deep commitment to serving students. As the old saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and they have taken that to heart at Kishwaukee.

Kasper explains her philosophy this way, “There is an old story of a man on a beach covered in starfish. Despite many challenges the man committed to throw as many starfish he could find back to the safe waters of the ocean. When asked how he thought he could save every one, the man’s response was 'I can make a difference in each starfish that I reach'. Kishwaukee Elementary School too faces many, real challenges such as a 98% poverty rate, one-third of the students do not speak English, one-third of students have/had refugee status, and a 32% mobility rate." To address these challenges at Kishwaukee, Kasper stated that her focus has been to foster a culture of mutual accountability, create a school community of faculty and families, and address students who aren’t performing at their grade level. "Like the man on the beach saving starfish, we are committed to making a real difference in the lives of kids, one child at a time."

“Elementary school principals serve students at a critical juncture of their learning and development. Aimee is to be commended for her leadership and efforts to do what is best for her students and staff,” Jason Leahy, IPA Executive Director.

The Elementary School Principal of the Year winner was selected from a pool of region nominees provided by the 21 Regions of the Illinois Principals Association. Aimee Kasper will be recognized at the IPA’s Education Leaders Fall Conference in October, 2016 and will receive a $1000 honorarium. This award affords her the opportunity to participate in the National Distinguished Principal of the Year event, in Washington DC, sponsored by VALIC and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Horace Mann -- the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs – provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. “Founded by Educators for Educators” in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. Visit for more information.

The Illinois Principals Association is a leadership organization which serves almost 5,100 educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois. You can find out more about the IPA at Visit for more information about the IPA Principal of the Year Awards Program.

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