Melanie Andrews was named the 2023 Superintendent of the Year for the Egyptian Division by The Illinois Association of School Administrators Wednesday.
“We are pleased to have such a fierce, veteran advocate for public education
representing our group,” selection committee member and Sesser-Valier Superintendent Jason Henry said in a written statement issued Thursday. “Melanie is one of the most encouraging leaders that I’ve known. She has mastered both the professional and personal demands of the role, and she’s smart. She serves her hometown with the highest levels of respect, dignity, and class, and she boldly tackles tough problems with team-generated solutions, building even more capacity in others to do the same. She’s a focused, thoughtful, and humble superintendent who routinely rolls up her sleeves to do the tough work. She understands that we’re all stronger together.”
“When I received the call about the award, I was speechless,” Andrews said when asked about the honor. “It’s really not about me, but rather, is a testament to the dedicated school staff members I have the privilege of working alongside every day. They’re the real recipients. We hold each other up, build each other up, and, when needed, prop each other up. It’s just what we do—every day. This award is all about the people of Mt. Vernon High School and the community-at-large.”
The Egyptian Division of IASA, the regional branch of the statewide superintendents’ association, serves district superintendents in Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Perry, Washington, Wayne, and White counties.