Congratulations are in order after Abbot Gregory Mohrman , OSB , ( left ) relays the very positive information from the ISACS accreditation visiting team in 2018 ; the final report was issued in 2019 .
She continues , “ Mr . Wilburn ’ s enthusiasm and love for Sacred Heart were evident from the beginning and when he became Head of Schools , it was amazing to watch his vision become a reality . He loves being with the students and watching them grow . He truly lives the mission of Sacred Heart and the Goals and Criteria , and his accomplishments have allowed Sacred Heart to become the school it is today .”
Under Mr . Wilburn ’ s leadership , the before- and after-school program was developed . He hired a Director of Student Life to create and manage this program and to develop robust co-curricular programming to complement the learning in classrooms . A formal relationship with neighboring Loyola University was developed , and Loyola ’ s work-study students have become invaluable in implementing the before- and after-school program . During Mr . Wilburn ’ s tenure , the school ’ s athletic program also has grown to be the largest elementary school program in the city .
As the first lay head of Sheridan Road , Mr . Wilburn often jokes that coming into the job he had at least two things going against him : “ I was not a nun and I had no fundraising experience !” Along with his master ’ s degree in Instructional Leadership , Mr . Wilburn did earn a master ’ s degree in Divinity , and he proved to be adept at fundraising . For example , with a strong committee of volunteers , he successfully launched and completed the Masterpiece Campaign , the largest capital initiative in the school ’ s history . The campaign raised nearly $ 10 million to support the Initiative for Excellence in Teaching and Learning as well as campus enhancements like the turf field , four new 5th grade classrooms , expansion of the teacher ’ s assistance program , and a STEAM lab . He exhibited strategic acumen as well . Recognizing that most Chicago schools offer pre-kindergarten and junior kindergarten , Sheridan Road opened a preschool in 2019 , bringing Sacred Heart education to 3- and 4-year-old children . Conveniently , our second Sheridan Road campus is just south of our 6250 campus .
Administration
During his tenure as Head of Schools , Mr . Wilburn has worked directly with six Board chairs . Two strategic plans were created and two Independent Schools Association of the Central States ( ISACS ) reaccreditations have been held . Both the “ Portrait of a Sacred Heart Graduate ” and the “ Statement on Equity and Inclusion ” were written , in addition to the reworking of the school ’ s vision statement .
A highly effective Head of Schools needs to be a jack of all trades , but very skilled at virtually all of them . They need to be a good leader and manager of faculty and staff and an enlightened educator , have a firm grasp on finances and budgeting , and excel at fundraising ALL while navigating the sometime stormy waters of attempting to appease parents , alumni , the Board of Trustees and the school ’ s neighbors . They need to keep enrollment up while balancing and maintaining the school ’ s standards and mission . In other words , they need to run an excellent mission-driven school while ensuring future excellence . Having been the Board Chair when Nat moved into the position of Head of Schools , I can only say it this simply — he is a HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Head of Schools . I loved working with him and he has been a gift to Sheridan Road .
– Anita Nagler , H ’ 00 , A ’ 02 , Chair of the Board when Mr . Wilburn was hired as Head of Schools .
Following the model established shortly after assuming the role as Head of Schools , Mr . Wilburn worked closely with those who comprise the school ’ s Leadership Team : Primary , Lower and Middle School Division Heads , Chief Financial Officer , Executive Director of Institutional Advancement , and Director of Curriculum and Instruction ( a role created as part of the Masterpiece Campaign ’ s Initiative for Excellence in Teaching and Learning ). Joining the Leadership Team in 2019 were also the Head of Inclusion and Community Life as well as the Preschool Director . With them , he has led the school in fulfilling the Sacred Heart mission for the 700 students entrusted to us as well as the extended Sacred Heart community of parents , parents of alumni , alumni and grandparents . The Leadership
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2009
Mr . Wilburn is named Head of Schools .
2013
Mr . Wilburn begins tenure as Chair of the Network ’ s Board of Trustees and completes service as Chair in 2017 .
2014
Creates Director of Curriculum & Instruction position .
SPRING 2021 3