Lincoln Way East HS
Jobs for Illinois Graduates (JILG) is proud to feature Lincoln-Way East High School. Lincoln-Way East is located in Frankfort, which is in Will County. Will County is the fastest growing county in Illinois, and one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. The area is growing so rapidly that Lincoln-Way East split into two separate schools in the 2008-2009 School Year, with the opening of Lincoln-Way North High School. Mr. Coley O’Connell is the Career Specialist at Lincoln-Way East High School.
Mr. O’Connell is an outstanding Career Specialist. He has been teaching the JILG program for 4 years, and over that time has led the Lincoln-Way East JILG program to the top. Many other Career Specialists look to Coley for advice, as he has an established record as an excellent mentor.
Lincolon-Way HS JILG class
The Senior Year program at Lincoln-Way East serves 45 students with a variety of barriers towards success, both in high school and with regards to future employment. Over one third of Mr. O’Connell’s students are enrolled in an online correspondence program in order to make-up credits to graduate on time with the rest of their class. Mr. O’Connell manages this program and has constant updates available to make sure the students stay on track to graduate. In addition, Mr. O’Connell serves 40 students through the follow-up phase of the program.
Lincoln-Way East and the JILG program there are very active in the local businesses and civic community, thus providing good relationships for guest speakers, field trips, and potential employers. Mr. O’Connell and his students hosted over 30 different guest speakers discussing a variety of topics in the classroom.
During last school year, JILGSters of Lincoln-Way East participated in a plethora of activities. The students participated in a teamwork and problem-solving workshop at Iron Oaks Outdoor Activity Center. JILG students also assisted the Lincoln-Way School District with the running and hosting of the Will County Special Olympics. The Lincoln-Way East JILG class adopted two local families during the holiday season and bought or had donated over 40 items that allowed these families to have a joyful holiday season. In May, students assisted in the set-up and running of the Manhattan Irish Fest, as event that generates over $40,000 for local Lincoln-Way area youth sports and clubs.
About the Specialist
JILG Specialist Coley O'Connell
Coley O’Connell has been in the Education field for over 10 years, and has been teaching at Lincoln-Way East High School for 10 years. Mr. O’Connell is in his fifth year as a Career Specialist. He earned his A.A. from Joliet Junior College, and went on to pursue his B.A. in Special Education from Illinois State University. Coley is a current student at Governors State University, where he is working on his Masters in Educational Administration.
Though Coley has had numerous great moments in the time he has been a part of the JILG program, his favorite moment definitely stands out. Coley says, “The best moment took place by chance at Midway Airport in December 2006. Upon returning from the Jobs for America’s Graduates National Student Leadership Development Conference in Washington, DC with student Nour Zein, we ran into Illinois State Senator, Barack Obama. Nour took the opportunity to introduce herself with a perfect execution of the G.N.A.P. technique taught in class. Even better, Barack recognized both the JILG program and the JAG program.”
