title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING JEAN BERNSTEIN'S LIFE AND CAREER ON HER 100th BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 300,000 students in Cook County's south suburbs were directly impacted by the life and work of educator Jean Bernstein; and
WHEREAS, Jean Bernstein, nee Collier, was born in Grand Rapids on February 12th, 1925, and moved to Freeport, Il as a young girl; and
WHEREAS, Jean Bernstein attended the University of Iowa and during a summer job in Chicago, she met her future husband George Bernstein (1917 - 2011); and
WHEREAS, after living briefly in Chicago after graduation, Jean and George Bernstein moved to the south suburb Park Forest. There, she began her educational career as a kindergarten teacher; and
WHEREAS, in 1962, Jean Bernstein completed her masters in economics at the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Jean Bernstein was motivated by her liberal politics, eschewing for profit organizations to work directly with school districts in underserved areas; and
WHEREAS, after her time as a kindergarten teacher, Jean Bernstein became the coordinator for the Rich Township School District 163 gifted program; and
WHEREAS, in 1969, Jean Bernstein was appointed School District 163's desegregation officer, tasked with integrating one all black school with ten all white schools; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, Jean Bernstein was appointed assistant superintendent of curriculum and planning, and was promoted to superintendent of District 163 the following year; and
WHEREAS, although Jean Bernstein initially retired in 1984, she returned as interim superintendent three times, in 1994, 1996, and 2002; and
WHEREAS, working with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean Bernstein co-chaired the docent program and worked tirelessly in various committees and fundraising efforts. She continued her blend of arts support and educational activities, chairing the Arts in Education Committee for the Center of Performing Arts at Governors State University; and
...
Click here for full text