05/18/2026
Congratulations!! 🎉
At the May 14th Board of Education meeting, two current staff members were introduced as our newest administrators, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Cassie McConkey, Behavioral MTSS Specialist, District and Jason Peterson, Assistant Principal, Pleasant Acres.
Cassie McConkey, Behavioral MTSS Specialist, District.
Cassie McConkey currently serves as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst for RCS and will assume the newly created role of Behavioral MTSS Specialist for the 2026–2027 school year. Cassie brings extensive experience in behavior supports, special education, staff development, and systems-level leadership. She earned her Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has recently completed her Master of Science in Educational Leadership, as well as principal and special education administrator endorsements, through Eastern Illinois University. During her time with RCS, Cassie has led district efforts to strengthen Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans, provided coaching and professional development to staff, supervised Registered Behavior Technicians, and helped build more inclusive and supportive learning environments for students. Her work has also extended beyond the district through conference presentations, research, and consultation with other school systems on behavior and MTSS practices. We are excited to have Cassie step into this important leadership role as we continue strengthening our districtwide behavioral systems and supports for students and staff. Outside of school, Cassie exists among her three teenagers (Sophia, Kale, and Sunni) and is married to her high school sweetheart. She is obsessed with her French Bulldog, Teeter, and enjoys watching true crime documentaries, tending to her chickens, and when the weather is nice, relaxing in the pool. Jason Peterson, Assistant Principal, Pleasant Acres.
Jason Peterson currently serves as a teacher at J.W. Eater Junior High School and brings more than a decade of educational experience to his new role as Assistant Principal at Pleasant Acres Elementary School. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Secondary School Teaching from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and recently completed a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a Principal Endorsement from Eastern Illinois University. Jason previously taught at JW Eater from 2018 to 2022, where he served as both an 8th grade Social Studies and Language Arts teacher, mentored new staff members, supported social-emotional learning initiatives, and coached basketball. Prior to returning to teach at JW Eater in 2024, Jason served as Student Services Coordinator at Unity High School, where his responsibilities included student support services, testing coordination, scheduling, and college and career planning. Jason is known for his professionalism, strong relationships with students and staff, and commitment to student success, and we are excited to welcome him into this leadership role at Pleasant Acres. Outside of school, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, working out, playing sports, watching movies, and writing.
