News Stories

The front office team at Oak Prairie Junior High is next up to be featured in our spotlights!

From Left to Right, we have our newest building leader Principal Johnny Billingsley, Building Secretary Diane Heimlich, Assistant Principal Scott Nyssen, and Attendance Secretary Lynette Awalt. 

Let’s check in with them!

Diane says that her role is to provide support to the administration and the school and that she is responsible for purchase orders, absences and securing substitutes, student registration, graduation and many other tasks!

We’ll let her share some fun facts about herself:

• My bucket list is to visit all 63 national parks.  I visited number 31 this summer!
• My favorite part of school is making a difference in the life of another person-student, staff or parent. I like to connect with the students that are challenging to connect with.
• This is the 12th school that I have worked in throughout my life.

Lynette is the first point of contact for students, families, and staff, creating a welcoming and supportive environment.

Take it away Lynette:

• I am a graduate of D92 and both of my children also attended this school district!
• My favorite season is, of course, winter. I absolutely love the snow. I love to be up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin on my snowmobile.
• I love adventures! I think the craziest thing I have ever done is go bungee jumping.

The Assistant Principal leads daily operations of the school by fostering a safe, positive learning environment, supporting instructional excellence, supervising students, and partnering with families to promote student success.

We will let Scott share a few fun facts about himself:

• I work in education because I enjoy building relationships with students and their families and watching students grow into confident, successful young adults. Before becoming an administrator, I also appreciated June, July, and August!
• My favorite thing about the school day is greeting students each morning and seeing the energy they bring to school every single day.
• If I could travel anywhere: I'd love to visit Australia and New Zealand to experience the incredible scenery, unique wildlife, and rich culture. Even a 20-plus-hour flight would be worth it!
• After 24 years at Oak Prairie, I've come full circle and now get to work with the children of many of my former students. It feels like my extended family
• I have lived in the district for more than 20 years and my daughter, Kate, attended D92 schools before graduating from Lockport Township High School this year and is now off to Arizona State University this fall.

I'm a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan—I stick with my team through every season, no matter what! I like to think the resilience it takes to support them has prepared me well for life in education!

As Principal, Mr. B provides instructional leadership by fostering a safe, supportive, and engaging school environment where students, staff, and families work together to promote academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and student success. 

We will let him share a few facts about himself:

• I chose to work in education because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students, to inspire, connect and mentor to be successful in whatever path they choose.  
• My favorite part of the school day is giving high fives in the morning and connecting with students and staff in meaningful ways. 
• My favorite candy is actually a bakery donut
• I would love to learn how to scuba dive in some tropical clear water!
• If I could have one super power I would want to be able to change into any type of animal and back to human form. 
• I love to sing and watch musicals.
• I won a karaoke contest in college.
• I went to open tryouts for the Cubs after I graduated high school.

Such a great group of people!