Phone: 708-225-4701
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Don Holmes
Greetings Thunderbirds,
Thornwood High School is special because we are student-centered. Our students, staff, and administrators constantly strive for excellence in all that we do! “You can't hide that T-Bird Pride!” Our school motto is "Thunderbird Excellence starts with MY EFFORT!"
We are driven by our vision which is to inspire responsible learners who are:
- goal-oriented
- passionate about their futures
- confident in their talents, skills, and knowledge
- engaged in their communities and the political system
Our mission is to offer students the academic foundation and social, emotional, and critical thinking skills that they will need to successfully navigate our ever-changing global society. Our aim is to empower students to reach their maximum potential.
When the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from conducting classes in-person, our dedicated staff and administrative team maintained educational continuity and engagement with our students remotely. With the resources that were provided by District 205 and the Board of Education, our students and teachers were able to adapt to the change. They demonstrated flexibility, skillfulness, and determination which helped our students to stay on track for promotion to the next grade level or complete the requirements for graduation. We are very proud of our school community and our District.
We are excited to get back to in-person learning so that we can continue to support our students as they advance toward their post-graduation goal of enrolling in a college or a vocational program, enlisting in military service, or securing employment that can sustain them.
Our educators, staff, and administrators are always looking for innovative activities and programs to keep our students engaged, challenged, and motivated. Some of the ways that we will continue to do this is by offering:
- pre-Advanced Placement courses
- virtual after school support
- mentoring programs
- grade point average (GPA) incentives
This will be my fourth year as principal of Thornwood High School. I have also held the following positions in the field of education: assistant principal over discipline and student support; substitute teacher; football coach; in-school suspension coordinator; and truancy officer. In my current capacity, I provide leadership and oversee the administrative aspects of running the school. My objective is to motivate our educators and supporting personnel to strive for superior performance so that we create the best possible opportunities and outcomes for our students’ growth and development.
My passion for Thornwood started when I was a student at the school. I never imagined that I would be back at the school as its principal when I graduated in 1994. I am honored to have the opportunity to positively shape the lives of our students the way that my teachers did for me. The academic and social experiences that I had at Thornwood High School have contributed greatly to making me the man that I am today.
I am proud to say that, “I bleed blue and gold!” and this year, I look forward to joining in the celebration of “50 years of Thunderbird Excellence!”
Don C. Holmes, MA. Ed
Principal
Thornwood High School
Phone: 708-225-4702
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Dr. Camilla Covington
Assistant Principal
Dr. Camilla Covington brings a wealth of experience from her diverse background in educational leadership. Her combined knowledge of the educational, legal, and medical fields makes her a particularly unique school administrator.
As an educator, public health clinician, and continuing education instructor, Dr. Covington has acquired a range of professional skills. She has translated these valuable skills to the Principal and Assistant Principal arenas where she directly has had a hand with graduating hundreds of students. Prior to assuming assistant principalship in Thornton Township High School District 205, she worked as a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Administrator – Central Office; Principal, Assistant Principal; Reading Specialist; and, Special Education Administrator.
Dr. Covington earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership – December 2007, Masters of Arts in General Administration – August 2003, Masters of Science in Special Education – January 1999, and a Bachelors of Science in Health Education – January 1992. Dr. Covington is always dedicated to giving back to the profession and the community.
Dr. Covington is currently a member of the National Association of Elementary and Secondary School Administrators (NASA), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), National Council for Teachers of English (NCATE), Illinois Reading Association (IRA), Chicago Area Alliance of Black School Educators (CAABSE), Phi Delta Kappa Scholastic Fraternity, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and Mercy Home for Girls and Boys. Dr. Covington continues to connect these pieces to create real value for her team and organization.
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Shavon Fomby
Assistant Principal: Athletics and Communications
Phone: 708-225-4704
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Dr. Nakeisha Knight
Assistant Principal
Phone: 708-225-4703
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Thomas Walsh
Assistant Principal
Greetings parents, students and community members, from Thunderbird Territory,
My name is Tom Walsh and it is with great pleasure and pride that I serve as an Assistant Principal at Thornwood High School. I have spent my entire career in education at Thornwood High School. During my time as a teacher, I instructed health education, physical education, driver education, and coached boy’s and girl’s tennis, prior to becoming an assistant principal in 2012.
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education in 2005 from Illinois State University, and later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Governor’s State University.
I believe our job as educators extends well beyond educating students on the lessons that are taught in the classroom. We all must work together to ensure that students receive the social, emotional, and physical support that they need to be prepared to engage themselves at the highest academic level possible.
As a graduate of Thornwood High School in the class of 2000 I am passionate about Thornwood High School, and what it means to be a Thunderbird. It is truly exciting to see so many students who continue to personify our motto of excellence, respect, and pride. I enjoy serving the community members of Thornwood High School and look forward to being able to continue working in my role as assistant principal for many years to come.
Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns by using the information listed above.
Make it a great day!
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Fred Bilotto
Division Leader: Social Studies/Foreign Language/Fine Arts/AVID
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Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Andrea DeYoung
Division Leader: English/Reading/Speech
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Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Despina Liaksos
Division Leader: Math/Business
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Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Paul Fritz
Division Leader: Science/CTE
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Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Guy Yiakos
Division Leader: Physical Education/Health/Driver's Education
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Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Jose Gonzalez
Discipline Administrator: Special Programs
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Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Alexandra Hay
Discipline Administrator: Freshmen
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Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Willie Butler
Discipline Administrator: Sophomores
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Degrees and Certifications:
Tihila Wright
Discipline Administrator: Juniors
Phone:
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Degrees and Certifications:
Dr. Nicholas Browder
Discipline Administrator: Seniors
