This school year brings with it an interim Dean of Students. It’s Nick Tillema, who is a graduate in Secondary English Education from UW-Whitewater and this spring, Tillema is planning to go back for his master’s degree. 

Tillema has taught English 10, English 11, English 12, Senior Composition, and Novel Studies for the past four years at Craig.

After Sonja Robinson started her new position as the Director of Student Services at the Educational Services Center (ESC), Tillema stepping in as the interim dean of students. Tillema claimed the position when the dean of students position was turned down by a potential outside hire. Tillema will continue as interim dean while the SDJ works to find a permanent replacement. 

Tillema sees this job as a golden opportunity to learn and to gain valuable administrative experience.

“I knew it would be a great experience and opportunity for me to learn more about what it is like to be an administrator,” he said.

Tillema is looking forward to making connections with an array of students, something that he limited in as a classroom teacher. His duties as interim dean are to serve students and families in any way that he can.

“Ultimately, I hope to build connections with students and families to help improve things like attendance, behavior, and academics,” commented Tillema.

No matter what role, Tillema’s mission is the same: to help students be successful.

“Whether I am the dean of students or a classroom teacher, I still get to interact with and help students every day, and to me, that’s what it’s all about,” Tillema said.