Back when Shernita Mays was a little girl, she played a game that wound up being her career.
“I’d line up my little dolls, my two brothers and any kid in the neighborhood who wanted to come to school on the side of my parents’ house. And we would have school. They would get mad because I always had to be teacher,” she said.
Decades later, Mays is living out the childhood games she played in Harvey, and today’s students are benefiting.
“I’ve always loved children and love when I see that light bulb go off — whether it’s a kindergartner or an eighth grader,” she said. “That’s a magical moment for any educator,” she said.
Thanks to her expertise, dedication and leadership, Illinois School in Park Forest — where she is principal — now is considered one of the top schools in the state.
Illinois School, part of Matteson Elementary District 162, has been named an Exemplary School by the Illinois State Board of Education.
The honor is “something all principal aspire to do in their career,” Mays said. “I feel honored. I feel privileged. This is an example of a team working. It’s not just me.”
That team includes teachers, parents and students working together, she said.
Illinois School is nestled in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood at 210 Illinois St. Inside there are approximately 400 students in kindergarten through the eighth grade.
Mays is in her fourth year as principal of Illinois School, “but I was born here, meaning I was a middle school teacher here.”
About 60 people work in the school, from custodians to teachers, she said.
“Everyone has relationships with our children — making sure they’re feeling loved first of all, but doing the right thing,” Mays said.
Asked for ideas and methods that lead to success, Mays smiled and said it starts with a positive event — a performance at the school by the Jesse White Tumblers this year — to set the tone for the year.
“Coming into the door, we make them feel it’s a fun place. And, guess what? You’re going to learn, too,” she said.
A vending machine near the front door allows students to “purchase” a book using gold-colored coins awarded to those students whose number is selected at random each Friday.
Mays, 61, of Matteson, and her husband have two adult children and a new grandchild. Her husband is Brian Mays, assistant principal at Woodgate School.
She started her career as a teacher and worked her way up through the ranks. She became an assistant principal at Huth Middle School and was the first associate principal in School District 161 at Illinois School.
She also briefly worked as the principal of three schools in Calumet City before she “came back home” as principal of Illinois School.
Working in those varied jobs, permitted her to “understand the foundation and the expectations” at schools.
“Ultimately, we want all our children to get to the highest level possible. But we have goal setting with our students — ‘This is where you are, what are we going to do?’ We include the students in the process,” Mays said.
“There’s open articulation with the students and the teachers. The first thing I ask every teacher to do is to get to know their students. You’ve got to know everyone. You also have to understand family dynamics.”
She learned that from her mother, Frankie Banks, who taught school and even gave students haircuts in the family home.
“You can’t teach them if you can’t reach them. So, you have to make that connection,” Mays said. “My teachers, I know they do an excellent job with that.”
Strong support at home from parents is another key, she said.
Illinois School even has a grandparent organization that has grandmas and granddads coming in several times a week to show their support of students, talking with them, encouraging them.
“One way or another, our students get the love and support that they need,” she said.
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That concept was on display at the school earlier this month as Mays invited a group of barbers from the nearby Phipps Academy of Barbering in Richton Park to the school to give free haircuts to students who signed up for the service.
The school’s gym was transformed into a barbershop with clippers buzzing throughout the day, the second year students were offered holiday haircuts at Illinois School.
Assistant Principal Nick Holmes said the exemplary school honor “is a reflection of our principal.”
“She holds it all together. The teachers, they do a great job, too. It’s a 100% team effort,” Holmes said.
Blondean Davis, the district’s superintendent, said Mays’ leadership — along with “experienced, dedicated teachers” — helped Illinois School improve despite the education challenges that were caused by the pandemic.
“She’s experienced, confident and energetic,” Davis said. “She has so much confidence, the children feel there is nothing they can’t do. When you feel that way, you accomplish your goals.”
One of those students, eighth grader Nysia Swift, 13, of Richton Park appreciates Mays’ guidance.
“I love my principal. She helps everybody,” Swift said. “There are smart students here. If you teach them one thing, they know two.”
Mays smiled when she heard Swift say that.
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.