TAD EVERETT

815-626-5050, Ext: 1637

teverett@sps5.org

Superintendent Updates

Supt. Updates_12.09.24

Supt. Updates_11.08.24

Supt. Updates_10.30.24

Supt. Updates_09.12.24

Supt. Updates_08.14.24

I would like to personally welcome you to Sterling Public Schools' website. The main purpose for our district’s website is to have a professional and modern-looking website that provides very current and accurate information. In fact, we want our website to be our primary source of information to stakeholders, therefore, if you have any questions or concerns with the information provided, please email our Director of Technology, Mr. Matt Birdsley, at mbirdsley@sps5.org. 

As the Superintendent of SPS, I consider it a privilege and an honor to be the leader of a district "Where kids achieve!" We believe in this slogan because it represents our true focus. Simply stated, we believe in each and every one of our students and that he or she can and will achieve. My personal invitation to you is to browse through our website so you can see the multiple examples and evidence of our students' achievements academically, athletically, and in the arts.

The vision of SPS works seamlessly with our slogan of “Where kids achieve!” Our vision, or our hope, is that every one of our students will achieve in life. This is our desire, and it drives our work, that each one of our students would leave Sterling High School with the skills he or she needs to be successful in whatever path he or she chooses. Whether that be college, a trade school, the military, or another one of life’s pathways, each student would have the necessary skills to thrive in that arena.

Our mission then is defined as what we do every single day to ensure our students have a high probability of accomplishing our vision. At SPS, our daily mission is to simply make each student ready to achieve in life. Whether that be educationally, social-emotionally, or behaviorally, we want to work and partner with our students so that they are ready for the next phase of their life's journey.  As a result, you will see this graphic around our schools:

I was born and raised in Charleston, IL. I graduated high school there, then attended Lakeland Junior College. I transferred to Eastern Illinois University where I received my BS in History and Political Science. I then later acquired my Masters and Specialist Degrees in Educational Leadership. For those of you that know, I say, “Go Big Blue, Go EIU!” The last chapter of my educational career occurred at Western Illinois University. In 2016 I graduated from WIU with my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. 

After receiving my bachelors degree from EIU, I taught middle school and high school social studies in Kansas, IL and Robinson, IL. My wife, Cindy, and I then moved to Sterling in 1999. Since then, I have served in multiple administrative roles throughout the district, including SHS Associate Principal, CMS Principal, Director of Human Resources, and Assistant Superintendent. For the past 17 years I have proudly served as the district's superintendent of schools, and I can honestly say that I am a Golden Warrior through and through. My family lives and actively participates in this community, and all three of my children are graduates of Sterling High School. I simply love Sterling, IL and Sterling Public Schools. Go Warriors!