Knoxville District 202’s new superintendent of schools will make history when she starts the job this summer. Dr. Andrea Guerrero was approved as Knoxville’s next superintendent Monday, making her the first woman and first Mexican-American ever appointed to the position.
A 1992 Galesburg High School graduate, Guerrero is in her second year as superintendent at Waverly Community Unit School District 6 southwest of Springfield. She will assume her role in Knoxville on July 1.
Guerrero has 20 years of experience in K-12 education. She has held positions as an English teacher, social sciences teacher, principal and dean of students. She also taught for 15 years in higher education as an adjunct instructor in English, English as a Second Language, and Business for both Lincoln Land Community College and University of Illinois-Springfield and an university administrator.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity,” Guerrero said. “I think I come with a lot of experience, not just in my administrative roles, and roles in higher education, but also as a superintendent.”
Guerrero said she was looking to land a position close to her hometown and family. She has two adult sons Zane and Logan, and her parents reside at Oak Run.
“I have two adult children out of the home, and my parents are aging, so I felt like it was not only a good fit, but a good time for me to head back home,” she said.
“When you’re a superintendent, it’s a 24-hour job, weekdays, weekends and holidays — so you miss a lot of time with family. This will give me the opportunity to do my job and be available 24 hours, but also still have access to my family, and I think that’s important.”
Guerrero attended Costa, played sports for Silver Streaks
Guerrero attended Costa Catholic School and while at GHS, she was a cheerleader in addition to playing basketball and running track for the Silver Streaks.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Western Illinois University in 1996, a master’s degree in history in 1997, a master’s degree in educational administration from Illinois State University in 2004, an education specialization in education leadership from WIU in 2011 and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2017.
Besides being closer to her family and hometown, Guerrero said there were plenty of things that are attractive about leading Knoxville schools.
“Some of the things that stood out to me about the district were definitely their student achievement, their community enthusiasm and just how positive the community relationship has stayed,” Guerrero said. “There’s just a general positive community gathering and rallying around the schools.”
Guerrero noted Knoxville has an impressive high school building, but wants to make sure all students in District 202 have the same learning environment.
“We have a new high school, but we want to make sure our feeder buildings are offering the same type of teaching and flexibility and learning styles that the new facilities offer,” she said. You want to make sure you have a continuum of K-12. You don’t want pockets of excellence, you want excellence spread throughout the district.”
Before starting in July, Guerrero said she plans to shadow a Knoxville student to see the district through a student’s perspective.
New superintendent says strategic plan is key
She also will meet with the interim superintendent Ralph Grimm and board members in the coming months to help with her transition to the new position. Knoxville’s previous superintendent Geoff Schoonover left the position in August 2022.
“One of the items that’s really on the board’s to-do list is to develop a strong strategic plan,” Guerrero said. “We want to look at not just what we’re doing next year, but what we’re going to do 10 years from now — where are we headed, and to really have a future-forward theme.”
A National Park Ranger before entering the education field as a profession, Guerrero has been a public speaker on both the national and international stage, focusing on women and leadership.
This past year, she was awarded both the Commitment in Education (2022) from Hispanic Heritage Month from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and a regional Athena Award Nominee (2022) representing women leaders in Central Illinois.
Guerrero said she’s looking forward to getting started in Knoxville.
“I’ll bring a very strong work ethic,” she said. “I am the superintendent, but I am also willing to supervise games, work the concession stand, do cafeteria duty — whatever it takes to make the district successful.
“I think those values are embedded in me growing up in the Galesburg area.”
