Kankakee School District 111

Dr. Teresa A. Lance currently serves as the Superintendent of Kankakee School District, which is located in a suburb outside of Chicago, Illinois. Prior to her current role, Dr. Lance served as the Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Innovation also a suburban school district outside Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Lance’s first stint as a school superintendent began the summer of 2018 and she led with an equity lens. Her equity-focused approach is evident by the significant decrease in the disproportionate number of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for Black and Brown children, the number of advanced placement course offerings that doubled, and for the first time in the school district’s history, 9th graders were allowed to enroll in advanced placement courses securing both opportunity and access for often-marginalized students. 

Prior to relocating to Illinois, Dr. Lance was a School Leadership Officer in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In her role as a School Leadership Officer, Dr. Lance was responsible for more than 11,000-students in 21 schools. While in Colorado, Dr. Lance oversaw multiple programs including: Gifted and Talented, Special Education, Emergent English Learners, and Professional Development. Dr. Lance’s career, however, began in Baltimore City, Maryland as a health and physical education teacher. It is in Baltimore City where Dr. Lance credits much of her growth; moving from teacher to assistant principal and eventually principal of both a middle and high school.

In her quest for learning and to create better outcomes for the students she serves, Dr. Lance has received training in various parts of the country, including four stints of professional learning at Harvard University’s Professional Education programs.  Dr. Lance earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and defended her dissertation titled, The Contributions of a Ninth-Grade Academy on African American Males’ Promotion to Tenth Grade: A Single-Case Study. Additionally, Dr. Lance co-authored a chapter entitled, Leading Boldly in Challenges to Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs in Organizations, as well as How Does my Social Justice and Equity Experience or View Impact My Ability to Lead as an African American Principal? in the recently published book, Fighting the Good Fight-Narratives of the African American Principalship.

Dr. Lance has presented at several professional conferences, including The American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). More recently, Dr. Lance was appointed and proudly serves on the Advisory Board of the Region 9 Comprehensive Center, which services Iowa and Illinois.

Mr. Neal brings over thirty years of experience in education, having held a range of roles from teacher and assistant principal to principal and assistant superintendent.  His academic background includes a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies, a Masters' Degree in Educational Leadership, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational leadership.  Most of his career has been with school districts serving diverse communities and believes that diversity is a strong asset.  Mr. Neal believes working in Kankakee School District 111 will be a great capstone to a wonderful career in education.

Dr. Kelly Gilbert is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. She currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Kankakee School District 111, where she oversees curriculum development, instructional innovation, and professional learning across PreK–12.

Throughout her career, Dr. Gilbert has held leadership roles, including Director of Student Support Services and Academy Coordinator at Joliet Township High School District 204, and Executive Director of Data, Assessment, Grants, and Accountability and Principal at A. Vito Martinez Middle School in Valley View School District 365U. She also served as a Deputy Director at the Illinois Center for School Improvement, where she supported statewide school reform initiatives and equity-focused improvement efforts.

Her work has consistently centered on advancing student achievement, strengthening equity and access, and building collaborative systems of support. Dr. Gilbert holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University, a Master’s in Educational Administration from Saint Xavier University, and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Saint Mary’s College. She is also certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.

Passionate about student success and systemic improvement, Dr. Gilbert continues to champion innovative practices that empower educators, engage communities, and ensure high-quality learning opportunities for all students.

Dr. James L. Henderson is a seasoned education leader and advocate for equity, with over 30 years of experience—including 25 years in senior cabinet roles—across districts serving up to 210,000 students. A native Mississippian and first-generation college graduate, he holds degrees from Jackson State University, Prairie View A&M, and St. John’s University.

Dr. Henderson most recently served as Superintendent of the Proviso Township High School District, where he led transformative initiatives in curriculum, facilities, discipline reform, and student achievement. His leadership introduced a college-ready curriculum, eliminated corporal punishment, and expanded access to advanced coursework and technology.

Recognized for his strategic, student-centered approach, Dr. Henderson has received numerous honors, including the Texas Legislative Black Caucus Outstanding Texan Award in Education. He is a lifelong member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a graduate of the AASA Urban Superintendents Academy at Howard University.

Dr. González began her career in education in 2002 as a middle school teacher in Chicago Public Schools in the southwest neighborhood where she grew up. As a first generation college graduate, she understood the promise and obstacles for students in her community. Upon her hiring, her principal told her he believed she had a story to tell that would help students who often got overlooked. 

Dr. González  went on to lead in expanding leadership roles including school administration and district leadership. Her leadership trajectory encompasses leading elementary, high school and district communities toward academic excellence by casting shared visions, building organizational systems and team trust and capacity to strengthen schools in urban and suburban settings. Leading in complex and diverse contexts developed her commitment and ability to bring out the best in others to place the needs of young people at the heart of organizational improvement efforts.

Dr. González is also adjunct professor at National Louis University in their Educational Leadership Studies graduate program. NLU is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and as a former NLU graduate student herself, it is rewarding to pay it forward by sharing her insights and experiences as a Mexican American in educational leadership with the next generation of education leaders.

When she is not working, Dr. Gonzalez spends time in Scripture and prayer and with her family and loved ones enjoying the simple things in life.