Schiller Park Education Association

It is with great sadness that we share IEA President Al Llorens, our steadfast leader, has passed away at 73.

Al, who spent more than 30 years as a high school math teacher and head girls’ track and cross-country coach at Thornridge High School, had been an IEA member since 1985. Prior to that, he taught fourth-grade phonics and middle school reading in Champaign, and as a math and science teacher in Kankakee and Chicago.

He married the love of his life, Wanda, in 2018. He was the father of three children and two stepchildren.

Always leading with empathy, Al will be remembered for his kindness, his passion for public education and unions, his ability to put what’s best for students first, his dedication to the members of IEA and his devotion to his wife, Wanda.

Al always referred to Reg Weaver, IEA president from 1981 to 1987 and former NEA president, as his mentor. Reg said he will miss Llorens and all he brought to his lifelong work.

“Al Llorens was a true friend and a man of the people. He believed strongly in public education and fought diligently for union members, their students, families and the community. Al believed in the power of sports and was an excellent coach. He will be deeply missed.”

More tributes to IEA President Al Llorens from his friends and colleagues can be found in our press release: ieanea.link/IEAPresidentAlLlorens

Because of unionization we celebrate today!

From the assembly line to the classroom, the hospitals to the farms, working people make this country run. Our solidarity is how we protect what we’ve built and win what we still deserve.

On this , and every day forward, we know together we can transform public education and our country to ensure every child, no matter the color of their skin, background or zip code, has the freedom to learn in a great public school.

SD81 Board of Education Highlights District 81 BOE 8/20/25 https://youtu.be/5tU7FI8RuvE

K–12 science educators are invited to join the National Science Teaching Association and Regional Office of Education #47 for an immersive, full-day professional learning experience.

🔬 Explore key instructional shifts required by the Next Generation Science Standards and similar standards.

🔬 Deepen your knowledge of high-quality, three-dimensional science instruction.

🔬 Engage with OpenSciEd materials and instructional routines, which are adaptable across grade levels.

Pick your session and register at https://okt.to/6vXiRY.

Our schools are the cornerstones of our great community. Chad Meyers and Schiller Park First are proud to receive the support from the Schiller Park Education Association (SPEA). Our team is eager to work together to achieve common goals on behalf of every child and family in Schiller Park. Thank you, SPEA!

Next week is Read Across America. Use the link below to find some ideas for your classroom: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/celebrating-read-across-america-story-sound-and-song?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1tsxJEBKe1hGvJqM9RYHu4zKxXz5x4gFf9qjOMgkbEb0NzD7BamhipYwE_aem_TPKIMy1RDMKz2IjTwR—uA&deeplink_ref_surface=instagram_direct&direct_share_include_copy=1&fb_entity_type=unknown

Here are some ideas for next week’s Read Across America.

Celebrating Read Across America with Story, Sound, and Song | NEA Like books, music and song create community, reflect culture and history, and tell powerful stories. Use these resources to strike the right note in your Read Across America activities.

Congratulations to our SPEA members at Washington School who worked so hard to make Aladdin Jr. a success. It is awesome!

Unlocking high growth for all: Schiller Park’s self-paced math classrooms - Teach. Learn. Grow. A self-paced math classroom can lead to stronger growth, deeper understanding, and students who feel an individual connection to math.