Principal

vzjalic-maksimov@thelumenacademy.com

Mrs. Zjalic-Maksimov has been involved in education since 2005. She holds a BA degree in International Business and a MBA with a focus in management and marketing from North Park University. She later pursued studies in Special Education and obtained a MSEd., in Mild Disabilities from Indiana University Northwest, and earned her M.Ed., in Educational Leadership, including licensure as a Director of Special Education from Purdue Calumet. She is licensed as a professional educator and administrator with an endorsement as a Director of Special Education both in Illinois and Indiana.

Mrs. Zjalic-Maksimov has been involved with many committees during her educational career. She has served as an administrator and educator for students in various Special Education programs, a member of the School Improvement Team for RTI, a Literacy and Data Assessment Coordinator, facilitated character development programs and has played a critical role in many aspects of educational professional development such as PLC’s.

Mrs. Zjalic-Maksimov believes that every child has the capacity to learn; that is, every student should be encouraged and motivated to achieve to the best of their ability. She believes it is the responsibility of ALL stakeholders to ascertain each students’ ability level and to provide them with the skills and tools to succeed at their individual pace and ability level; what is needed for one student to achieve is not necessarily what is needed for the next, it is not a “one size fits all”; that increases student achievement amongst diverse learners. The key to success is to maintain open communication, empower staff by maintaining transparent, facilitative, and collaborative relationships with students, families and staff.