USF Doctoral Candidate Named State's Top Assistant Principal

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is proud to announce that Abir Othman, a doctoral candidate in the USF College of Education, was named the 2020 Illinois Assistant Principal of the Year by Horace Mann and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA). Othman is currently the Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill. The Assistant Principal of the Year winner was selected from a pool of region nominees provided by the 21 Regions of the Illinois Principals Association. The IPA will formally recognize Othman as part of its Education Leaders Annual Conference in February.

As an educator with over twenty-two years of experience under her belt, Othman has utilized a variety of experiences to shape her career to date. She has served Consolidated High School District #230 for the past 17 years alone, including her current role as Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Victor J. Andrew High School, and previous roles as Associate Principal of Student Services and Dean of Students at Victor J. Andrew High School, and Head Dean of Students at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Ill. She has also taught middle and high school English, sponsored numerous clubs and activities, and was an administrator at Universal School in Bridgeview, Ill. While she has enjoyed this variety of educational leadership roles, Othman believes her own personal journey has ultimately fueled her drive to serve others.

“My family immigrated to the United States when I was six years old with hopes of fulfilling the American Dream. My parents worked diligently so that we could become American citizens and pushed us to acquire further knowledge, given that they both were not afforded the chance to attend school. My drive for success in my personal and professional journey and the desire to pay it forward has enabled me to become an educator. This is the opportunity I have dreamed of attaining my entire life, which is a chance to further my education in order to better serve those impacted by me,” she said.

Othman also feels that her current coursework at USF is helping to prepare her for future professional aspirations, which she hopes will include a principalship in the near future and eventually, many years later, a superintendent position.

“I know that education will always be my passion, and given the support of my family and my USF professors and cohort, I feel very confident that I am capable of completing the doctoral program at USF. Having such knowledgeable professors at USF has definitely been beneficial for me. They have given us practical application for real life and in our aspiring leadership roles,” she said.

“The program is thorough in providing every aspect of Educational Leadership. I love that we problem solve, learn from each other and generate ideas together for relevant school matters. My experience with USF's Leadership program coincides with my values of putting the needs of others first, showing empathy and compassion, creating strong relationships, celebrating student and teacher successes, and being a resource for students. This is why I know I will be prepared for the next phase of my professional journey,” Othman said.

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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