An Interview with the Crow Island Principal

In this episode, Dave and LUKE LIVINGSTON:

The journey through the innovative progressive education model of Crow Island School and its legacy.
The profound impact of empathy, collaboration, and intrinsic motivation in student growth.
The challenge of meeting the needs of students, parents, and teachers in contemporary classrooms.
Effective behavior management and promoting inclusivity for diverse student populations.
The value of direct school engagement as a powerful asset compared to online evaluations.
Luke Livingston, a seasoned educator with over 17 years of experience, is the principal at Crow Island School.

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Check out the interview

Tell us about your journey
It’s my 17th year in education. I started teaching through the Teach for America program, where you teach in a low-income community. I’ve taught 2nd, 3rd, and 7th grade. I was an assistant principal and a principal in a previous district before coming to Crow Island. This is my 4th year as a principal and my 2nd year at Crow Island.

What is progressive education?
District 36 is one of the few school districts in the country that’s public and fully progressive. Winnetka has much more enshrined in our day-to-day experiences with students
- the curriculum we teach, how we support students, and being hands-on through a “whole child” approach. We believe social-emotional learning is just as important as academic learning. We’re just part of the history of progressive, and we’re really lucky. Crow Island is honoring those things, and highlighting those things is really important to me.

What are you working on currently for the school?
We’re coming out of a time across the U.S., in Illinois and everywhere, where schools were closed or kids had modified schedules. Last year was a return to some level of normal, and I still think we’re in that shift back. Part of my goal is bringing the community back together - the staff, the parents, and the students - so that we all feel we’re communicating and operating in a way that will support growth for kids. We’re making a ton of gains with students, academically and socially. And I’m really proud of that and feel really excited about that work.

How does the school foster a safe & inclusive environment for students?
We have clear school-wide expectations that ensure every kid is walking into a classroom or an experience where it’s predictable; there’s a routine. They know who the adults are, and they feel a sense of connection. We do that to prevent things like a student not feeling like they belong or not feeling a sense of safety or security. We also have a check-in Connect system where staff are aligned with specific students who need a “hello, how’s your day going,” or like those touch points. It’s not just falling on the homeroom teacher, but it’s a community approach to ensure the kids feel like they have a place here.

Describe success for an outgoing 4th grader
We want all of our kids reading and doing math at a certain level of proficiency. Those are critical. But for me, it’s also crucial that our 4th graders have empathy and put themselves in someone else’s shoes. That’s critical when you’re reading, collaborating, and problem- solving. It’s vital for just being a good human being. It’s something our 4th graders do really well, and our teachers really develop in our students.

What are your thoughts on the school rating sites?
I think there’s some value but if you want to see what makes Winnetka schools unique, you have to visit and talk to people. Contacting the principal or the enrollment office at the district is a good first step.

Anything else you’d like to add?
School goes beyond just the physical walls of the building: it’s the families, the staff, and the students here that make this place. We are a school filled with tradition. When I meet students or alums visit, the stories they hold on to just make it so special. Crow Island aligns with the District 36 Mission and Vision. Those are things that are super important.

Today’s Guest, LUKE LIVINGSTON :

Quotable: "The roof should always be smooth and solid, it shouldn't be concave or bumping up." — Luke Livingston
Connect:
- Website: https://crowisland.winnetka36.org/
- Email: lukelivingston@winnetka36.org
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrLlivingston