English Teacher Debbie Cohen was appointed the new position of the Instructional Supervisor for the Glenbrook Academy for International Studies, Principal Dr. Barbara Georges said.

Cohen has taught in District 225 since 2002 as an English teacher, and as Academy Senior English teacher for seven years, she said. She now steps into the role of Instructional Supervisor, which oversees the Academy’s interdisciplinary curriculum, supports faculty collaboration, and leads advanced academic initiatives across both Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North. She is also involved in dual credit programs and the Seal of Biliteracy, enjoying being involved in programs the Glenbrooks have to offer.

“I love the Academy program,” Cohen said. “I love the teachers in the program and above all, I love the students in the program.

The Glenbrook Academy is set apart by its interdisciplinary structure, Cohen said. There’s a unique co-teaching system shared between the Social Studies teacher and the English teacher in the program.

“There’s a wonderful partnership that forms between the English teacher and the Social Studies teacher,” Cohen said. “Every year, we get to work with a new World Language teacher. That is really exciting [for me]: the partnership with the wonderful teachers, [and] the interdisciplinary nature of the program.”

Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Cohen’s new role also involves overseeing Advanced Academic Programs for both North and South, Georges explained. This includes expanding access to dual credit opportunities, college-level courses offered in high school through partnerships with local colleges, and supporting initiatives like the Seal of Biliteracy.

“There are a lot of advanced academic programs that we’re hoping to innovate and expand here in the Glen-
brooks,” Georges said. “This development and supervision required some oversight, and that is part of what Co-
hen’s position is going to help do.”

This year, Cohen is team-teaching, meaning there are one or more teachers present in the classroom aiding students, the Senior Academy Contemporary Global Literature class with Social Studies Teacher David
Berkson.

“It’s fun to have another adult in the room with you,” Cohen said. We get to do some really explicit thinking about
how to help students understand the way that two different subjects actually really intertwine.”

The selection process to replace the previous head of Academy, Matt Whipple, was very extensive, Georg-
es explained. A variety of applicants were interested, but ultimately after two rounds of interviewing, Co-
hen was chosen, Georges said.

“We were looking for somebody who understood the history and the purpose of the program,” Georg-
es said. “In the end, Ryan Bretag, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and I were able to

make the final decision based on the feedback of the interview committees, and Cohen was awarded the
position.”

In her new position, Cohen is now able to take a look at the program as a whole, and figure out ways to improve the academy, Cohen explained. She also looks forward to meeting new people and creating new bonds.

“My students this year are amazing,” Cohen said. “I’ve been enjoying having time in both [South and
North]. [My] new job has put me into contact with people I hadn’t yet worked with or gotten to know. It’s
been really fun to make some new relationships.”