Administration
Raymond Williams
Principal, Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology & Center for Alternative Learning
Raymond Williams is entering his first year as T.F. Center’s Principal. Entering his twenty-eighth year in education and twenty-seventh in District 215, he spent six years teaching English course at Thornton Fractional North High School, two years in the Deans’ office, one as Assistant Principal for Building Control and another nineteen as Assistant Principal for PPS. Raymond holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Administration from University of Illinois at Chicago and is currently enrolled in an Educational Administration and Foundations (EAF) Doctoral program through Illinois State University.
Lauren Gladu
Assistant Principal, Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology & Center for Alternative Learning
Lauren Gladu is the Assistant Principal for Building Control. She has been an educator for over twenty years, with three years of service in District 215. She has worked as the Assistant Principal of Building Control at T.F North High and served as a middle school teacher and administrator in the Dallas Fort Worth area for many years. She comes with a vast range of experience and a track record of dedication to schools and community. Ms. Gladu holds two Masters Degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of North Texas.
Dawn L. Walker
Assistant Principal, Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology & Center for Alternative Learning
Dawn is the Assistant Principal for the Pupil Personnel Services Department. She has been an educator over eighteen years, with fifteen years of service in District 215. She has worked as the Assistant Principal at T.F. Center for Alternative Learning, School Counselor at T.F. Center for Academics and Technology and as a Manufacturing and Construction Teacher at T.F. South. Before she became a teacher, she worked as an Industrial Engineer for Douglas Press, Inc. and SK Hand Tools Corporation, Chicago, IL. Dawn has served on numerous committees, served as sponsor for the Cultural Diversity Club at T.F. South, chaired the Gates Scholarship Committee District 215 and served on the T.F. Center Leadership Team. Dawn received a Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Manufacturing Technology, a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Concordia University Chicago and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Purdue University Northwest. She is currently pursuing a Director of Special Education endorsement from National Lewis University.
Jake Gourley
Assistant Principal, Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology & Center for Alternative Learning & Thornton Fractional North High School
Jake Gourley is currently an Assistant Principal at T.F. Center and T.F. North after serving as T.F. South’s Principal for 8 years and a T.F. South Social Studies teacher for 18 years. A native of Danville, Illinois, he holds a B.A. in History with an English minor from Illinois State University and earned his M.A. in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University. He is currently pursuing his Ed.S. certification through a program at Northern Illinois University. A longtime Lansing resident and active member of the community, Gourley was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010 which permitted him to spend a semester sabbatical studying Leadership and Education at Northwestern University. He was community co-chair of the committee that successfully marketed a construction referendum that helped secure a $19 million state grant for modernization and expansion at all three District 215 campuses. He was the recipient of the Frederick D. Drake Teaching Excellence Award from the Illinois State University Department of History in 2011 was named a Most Influential Educator by Western Illinois University in 2012. In addition to his responsibilities at T.F. South, he has served as Vice President and Board Member for the Lansing Association for Community Events, former Chair of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, and once sat on the Board of Directors of both the Golden Apple Foundation and A.C. Jaacks Credit Union. He is a former President of Thornton Fractional Federation of Teachers Local #683. In his spare time, Gourley enjoys to travel and has visited more than 22 countries. He is a fervent defender of high quality public education and for advancing student opportunities. He has been featured in Catalyst Chicago and in the textbook, “Everyone at the Table: Engaging Teachers in Evaluation Reform.”