SEDOM was formed in 1965 to meet the needs of students with unique educational needs. In addition, it is the purpose of SEDOM to provide special education leadership in McHenry County. In cooperation with its seventeen member districts, parents and the community, SEDOM provides a unifying focus for the efforts of those concerned with the quality of life of students with disabilities. SEDOM and its seventeen member districts share a belief that good communication on policy, procedures and guidelines are essential for continuity and the implementation of a common purpose and vision for serving students.
Appointment of Executive Director
The SEDOM Executive Board is pleased to announce that Dr. Timothy Burns has been selected as the new Executive Director for SEDOM. He will begin his leadership role on July 1, 2017.
Dr. Burns attended Eastern Illinois University, earning his teaching certification and discovered that he enjoyed working with individual students and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and Human Services and became a guidance counselor. As a guidance counselor Dr. Burns worked closely with the special education department on transition planning and became very interested in special education leadership.
Dr. Burns was motivated by the work of former Stevenson High School Superintendent Rick DuFour and the concept of Professional Learning Communities and earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and then an Educational Doctorate from Roosevelt University in the field of Educational Leadership and Organizational Change.
Dr. Burns has served as a special education teacher, guidance counselor, Assistant Principal, Special Education Coordinator, Director of Special Education at both the high school and elementary school level and most recently as a Therapeutic Day School Principal. He has additionally served as a Track and Field Coach and sponsor of numerous student activities.
Dr. Burns has been an active member of his community and has recently completed a term as a Trustee on the Elk Grove Village Library and now serves as a Board of Education Member for Community Consolidated School District 59. Dr. Burns and his wife Jennifer are the proud parents of Meghan and Colin, who are both fourth graders and their five year old daughter Emma.
SEDOM shall function as a service agent of each of its member districts. SEDOM shall encourage, plan, organize, coordinate, direct, operate, monitor and/or supervise a comprehensive program of the delivery of special education programs and other needed services for children with disabilities. SEDOM shall perform or carry out specialized education functions as authorized by the Illinois School Code, the Governing and Executive Boards, and its Member Districts.
Vision:
Champion for Every Child.
Mission:
Dedicated to helping children and young adults (ages 3-21) develop their individual potential by facilitating specialized educational services and programs in collaboration with member school districts.
