From the Superintendent

May 7, 2026

Dear Winnetka Teachers,

Across our schools, when students reflect on their experiences, a clear message emerges: they feel seen, supported, challenged and inspired thanks to your guidance. Students say their teachers are kind, joyful and welcoming; you make learning fun, while also pushing them to reach new levels; when a lesson or social situation feels difficult, you are there to help them. Students notice that you create classroom communities where everyone belongs, where differences are valued and where they feel safe. They describe classrooms and advisories that feel like families. They also recognize that Winnetka teachers are helping shape who they become. They see their educators as people who care about them, believe in them and guide them to be thoughtful, resilient, and empathetic individuals. They value the relationships you have built with them and use those as a foundation to support them as they try new things, take risks and grow into themselves. In a Washburne students’ words:

“The teachers are building our future.” *

This is the essence of the Progressive Tenets that have defined The Winnetka Public Schools for more than 100 years. Our longstanding commitment to Progressive Education comes to life through your work every single day centered on the Whole Child, Meaningful and Experiential Learning and a Collaborative Community. Thanks to Winnetka educators, generations of students have developed a lifelong love of learning and gone on to pursue their passions across fields as varied as public service, the arts, and education.

Your impact is lasting and profound. Thank you for the care you show, the relationships you build, the challenges you design and the joy you bring to your work, even on hard days. Thank you for continuing a tradition that is both historic and future-focused, and for making The Winnetka Public Schools a safe, welcoming and innovative environment for students to learn and grow. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Most Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Tess

Superintendent
The Winnetka Public Schools

*Enjoy these student comments and video, featuring student reflections on the difference you make each day:

“The teachers are building our future. They are the foundation for everything that is about to happen.” -Washburne student

"My teachers are awesome." -Greeley student

"I appreciate how the teachers are all so unique...and they all make learning fun." -Hubbard Woods student

“The teachers do an AWESOME job of teaching you in a way that is hard but fun at the same time. You become a lifelong learner."

-Skokie student

“Teachers help you to be a good person to the world and to others around you. Other schools may teach you through books, but we learn through experiences.” -Crow Island student

“I think every single teacher in this whole school is some of the greatest teachers in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!” -Hubbard Woods student

“Teachers don’t just care about how you’re learning, they care about how you’re doing.” -Skokie student

“I love Greeley because all the teachers are so nice and this is a great community!” -Greeley student

“Once we got to our highest limit our teachers created another one and helped us get to a new level.”

-Washburne student

“I love how welcoming my teachers are. They make a good class family.” -Crow Island student

“All the students are very lucky to have the best teachers in the world.” -Hubbard Woods student

“Going through The Winnetka Public Schools I got to learn through my friends and my teachers and have creativity and freedom to really learn.” -Washburne student

“Skokie is an amazing school and all the teachers and staff here are really amazing. I have had the best experience the past two years.” -Skokie student

“They give you the freedom to grow and be who you are…there are great people here and that’s what makes the environment so amazing.” -Washburne student