Hi. My name is Don Maxwell, and I'm proud to be the principal at Shirland School and Superintendent of Shirland School District 134. Shirland School is one of those unique schools where the teachers and staff get to know the students and families very well, and vice versa. Since most of the students attend Shirland School for grades K-8, many opportunities present themselves for some pretty special relationships to develop among staff and students.

 Although I was born in North Dakota, I'm a Nebraskan at heart, having attended junior high and high school in Omaha; the Cornhuskers are my team of choice. I married a high school friend and graduate of the University of Nebraska way back in 1970.  My wife and I have lived in several different cities: Biloxi, Mississippi; Tokyo, Japan; Waco, Texas; Rockford, IL; and finally, Rockton in 1986. 

My wife is a first-grade teacher in Rockton. We have three daughters, two sons-in-law (and one wanna-be), two granddaughters and one grandson. Our eldest lives in Grayslake, IL, with her husband and daughters, Ella and Audrey. She works for Abbott Labs as a computer guru, and her husband is a wedding photographer (www.anthonywsmith.com). Our middle daughter lives in South Beloit with her husband, son Carter, and two Labrador retrievers; she also teaches first grade at Rockton Grade School. Our youngest lives in Rockton and works as a paramedic for Lifeline in Rockford. She's also a Paramedic with Rockton Fire Department. 

Education is my second career. I was in hospital administration for the first thirteen years of my post-military life. Then, I went back to school and earned my teaching degree. I graduated from Rockford College with my undergraduate degree in 1996, my master's degree from NIU in 2004, and my Ed.S. in August, 2007.  An Ed.S. is a doctorate without the dissertation.  I received my superintendent's endorsement in 2007 also. 

Well, that's me and my family. I am very happy to be associated with Shirland School, and am constantly in awe of the magic being performed in our classrooms every day. Please stop in some day and experience the wonderful learning that goes on in our school. Accompany your student to school and attend his or her classes (but don't mention I recommended it.)  

Once again, I'm proud of Shirland School. Thanks for sharing your child with us.

Our school may be small, but our hearts are big.