As lead educational advisor for Northern Illinois University, Bessie Bennett Peabody is contracted to serve the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in the Southern Region. She advocates for children in the care and custody of the state in 34 counties, traveling from Effingham to Cairo on a referral basis.
She advocates for educational services by identifying and addressing systemic issues and service gaps, and provides workshop trainings for school districts and state staff. She also supervises two educational advisors, one in Springfield and the other in Decatur.
“Collaboration is the key source of effectiveness in advocating for children,” Peabody said.
Her educational experience dates back to the middle sixties when she encountered her first classroom of eager eighth graders needing English credits.
Because of the academic and behavioral concerns, Peabody had to restructure her college beliefs and take on the challenge of educating children in the real world. She was determined to do her best and be the best in teaching all students. Her motto became, “Every child has potential and must be challenged to learn to the fullest extent when provided the necessary tools for learning in a positive motivating environment.”
As the years passed, her experience included being an elementary and secondary school teacher, an intermediate curriculum supervisor, a principal, an interim assistant superintendent, an administrative assistant in charge of curriculum K-12, and a part-time reading instructor at Southern Illinois University/Edwardsville and St. Louis University.
Her degrees include bachelor’s and master’s Degrees in education, a Reading Specialist degree and Administrative certification. She also has completed all course work and examinations toward a Ph.D. in Curriculum Administration.
Her expertise has resulted in her playing many consultant and support roles in education throughout her career.
She has been called upon as an expert in the field of reading. She is a consultant and has presented numerous workshop trainings in the field of education. She also is a trained consultant in Peace Education
She was selected by the State of Illinois as an external quality reviewer. Her task was to review and evaluate schools in the Chicago area according to state standards for student achievement.
She wrote and administered a literary program for State Community College and School District 189. This program involved teaching young adults and senior citizens to read. She has served on numerous local and state committees in the field of education.
She has been just as needed and active in her civic and community commitments.
She is a member and past president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She served The Gateway Chapter of The Links, Inc. in many capacities, including past president, vice president, past recording secretary, and past financial secretary.
She is a board member and past president of the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center; previous board member and past secretary of the St. Clair County Teachers Credit Union; past president of Jack and Jill of America; a member and financial secretary of the Jack and Jill Associate Group; past board member of the Girl Scouts of America and board member/vice president of Opal’s House, a group devoted to sheltering victims of domestic violence.
Her professional groups include member and past president of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, member of Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society, member of Phi Delta Kappa and member of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
She has received many honors and awards.
Her awards include National ILOD Top Lady of Year, l996 Woman of Achievement KMOX/Suburban Journal, Argus Distinguished Award, Salute to Women (YWCA), University of Notre Dame Reading Award, Principal Challenge Award for Leadership, Carol Kimmel Community Service Award (SIUE), the American Distinguished Educator Award, Phi Delta Kappa Eminent Educator Award, TLOD Salute to Women Award, Delta Sigma Theta Arts Award (Outstanding Greek Service), State of Illinois Challenge Award for Outstanding Principal, the Educator Award from the Council of Domestic Violence and Racial Harmony Phenomenal Woman Award.
In her current professional role, Peabody is committed to advocating for every child in the care and custody of state agencies and securing quality educational and developmental services for every child that is referred for services.
She holds dear something that Nelson Mandela once said about education: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
She said, “I truly believes this!”
