Published: July 05, 2009 11:43 pm      

Teacher spends entire career in Georgetown

GEORGETOWN — Cindy Gilliland began her teaching career at Pine Crest Elementary School as a teacher’s aide and now ends her tenure with the district by retiring at the same school, but as principal.

As principal, Gilliland leaves behind a number of successful programs and improvements which she said have been the highlight of her career.

Moving the entire school into a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program was an early transition and is now a way of life for everyone in the building. An ASPIRE grant, which Pine Crest was one of only two in the state to receive, has helped teachers tailor lessons to student needs.

A more recent social and emotional learning grant from the Department of Mental Health has further helped tie the vision for the school, teaching to the whole child, together.

Before her time as a principal, Gilliland served as an assistant principal at Mary Miller Junior High for two years. But her longest stint in education was in the classroom, as a fourth-grade teacher at Frazier Elementary School.

“I never was a traditional teacher,” said Gilliland. “I always took a different approach.”

Gilliland served as the district language arts gifted director for 10 years.

“If you don’t have a command of language, then it’s hard to succeed in the other areas,” said Gilliland. “That’s always been my interest.”

Susy Riggle is a current Georgetown-Ridge Farm school board member. She ended her career as the Pine Crest Elementary School and earlier Frazier principal before retiring, when Gilliland stepped into the Pine Crest role. The two have worked closely together in the district their entire careers.

“She made learning enjoyable, kids were happy in her classroom,” said Riggle. “Parents were always lined up wanting kids in her classroom.”

Riggle said Gilliland has a tremendous sense of humor and made it fun for kids, but also fun for staff. She was easily able to pick someone up who was having a down day. Riggle said Gilliland was the unofficial social director of Frazier.

But when she left her post at Pine Crest six years ago, Riggle said she knew Gilliland was right for the job.

“The skills she had with parents and kids, I knew she would make a great administrator, and she has,” said Gilliland.

Gilliland said she’s enjoyed seeing the “light bulb moments” in children the most and also forging lifelong friendships with staff.

Changes she’s seen over the years include a transition from teaching not just academics, but also social skills to children.

“We need to teach what it looks like to be respectful,” said Gilliland. “Kids in 1975 used to know what respect looked like. That’s changed.”

She said the hardest part of her job is being privy of children’s home situations that she can’t always manipulate. Also, not having enough hours in the day.

Even though she loves seeing the smiling little faces greet her each morning and the camaraderie with staff, Gilliland said she is ready for a slower pace.

During retirement she plans to spend time with her husband, Larry, children and grandchildren and would like to travel abroad. She’ll also be volunteering with her church and in the community and enjoys photography.

“I’m ready to see where this new chapter leads me,” said Gilliland.



CINDY GILLILAND

Age: 57

Education: Graduated Harrisburg High School in 1969; bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1974, master’s degree in administration from Eastern Illinois University in 1988.

Experience: 34 years, all in the Georgetown-Ridge Farm school district. Began as a teacher’s aide at Pine Crest Elementary School in 1975; 1977-2001 taught fourth grade at Frazier Grade School; 2001-03 was assistant principal at Mary Miller Junior High; 2003-09 has been the principal at Pine Crest Elementary School.