North High School Names Two New Department Chairs

Downers Grove North High School will have two new department chairs for the 2011-2012 school year.

The District 99 board approved the appointments of Michael J. Heinz as the new science department chair and Mr. Courtney D. White as the new physical education, health and driver education department chair July 18. 

According to a district press release, Heinz was a 2010 Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction. He's also a resident of Downers Grove. 

He comes to District 99 from Niles West High School in Skokie, where he taught advanced and regular chemistry courses since 2005. He has 19 years of experiences teaching science at Glenbard School, Plainfield High School and Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights. 

Heinz has also led science clubs at school, worked with Fermilab, Aurora University and the Flinn Foundation and organized and facilitated teacher training workshops for the American Chemical Society.

He has a bachelor's degree in biological science with a minor in chemistry from Quincy University and an master's degree in teaching with a specialization in administration from Lewis University. Heinz became a National Board Certified teacher in 2004.

“I look forward to leading the science department at North High and have a great amount of respect for the faculty here,” said Heinz in a district release.

“As a resident of Downers Grove, I’m particularly excited to have the opportunity to serve the students in our community.” 

White comes to District 99 from Buffalo Grove High School, where he led the physical education, health and driver's education department. He has 15 years of teaching experience at Aldai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire and Lake Park High School in Roselle. 

White has a bachelor's degree in physical education from Northern Illinois University, a master's degree in educational administration from National-Lewis University and a master's degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania.

He was a certified athletic trainer for various athletic programs and has provided strength and conditioning programs for athletes.

“North High has a reputation for excellence, and it will be an honor to serve the staff, students and community in the role of department chair,” said White in a district release.

“We are very excited to welcome both Mike and Courtney to North High School,” said North High School Principal Scott Kasik.

“I am confident that both of these talented and experienced leaders will make an immediate and positive impact on their respective departments and ultimately, on our students.”