IATD Board & History

Message from former IATD President

Welcome to the Illinois Association of Title I Directors (IATD) website and organization. IATD, since its first conference in 1981, has provided a variety of valuable opportunities for educators serving students with Title I programs. Our affiliated educators have a variety of titles - director, coordinator, superintendent, principal, teacher, and others – all with the common goal of improving education for children and youth. 

You will find many opportunities and resources as you participate in IATD. Our statewide network of experienced Title I Directors is available for digital collaboration and discussion to assist in supervising or administering Title I programs in your school or district. We sponsor two gatherings annually – one in the Fall and one in the Spring. The Fall Conference includes a half-day session for new directors and two full days for all. The Spring Workshop is one full day and provides important updates to help all. ISBE personnel are active participants and add to the dialogue with fellow practitioners. We host a grants update session as part of the State’s ESSA Conference, normally held in February.

Your participation makes the IATD stronger. Our conference and workshop topics are based on feedback and topics from our members. Our network of practitioners is more vibrant and helpful as we partner with each other. Please join us and be active in IATD. We’re more effective and stronger together. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Travis Woulfe, Former IATD President
Illinois Association of Title I Directors

The History of IATD

The Illinois Association of Title I Directors began in 1980 in Little Rock, Arkansas. While attending the National Title I Regional Workshop for Parent Involvement on June 11 - 13, nine directors of large Title I projects met informally to discuss the possibility of forming a large district director's organization. Of particular interest to the group was political action, since there was a federal movement at that time to eliminate Title I and other grants.

The original Planning Committee consisted of: Gene Alston (Alton), Joe Burnett (Kankakee), Gilbert Deimel (Springfield), Edna Horne (Rantoul), Jeanne A. Nelson (Peoria), W. Frank Perry (Chicago), Marge Stillwell (Champaign), Mary Williams (Mattoon), and Agnita Wright (Decatur).

An invitation was extended to all directors of a $100,000 or greater project to attend a meeting on September 23, 1980. At that meeting it was decided to form the organization, Association of Title I Directors in Illinois. A second meeting was held on November 21, 1980, and officers were elected in late December. On January 30, 1981, Gil Deimel presided at the first official meeting of the Association. By-Laws were adopted on April 8, 1981, and membership was opened to any director interested in joining