.jpg "The three speakers who comprise the October 8, 2025, Wozniack Lecture Series")
The Wozniak Lecture Series
The Unfinished Educator
THE 2025 INSTALLMENT OF THE JOHN M. WOZNIAK LECTURE SERIES
The Loyola School of Education proudly presents the 2025 Wozniak Event, honoring our founding dean, Dr. John M. Wozniak. Since its inception in 2009, the Wozniak Lecture Series has evolved over time, reflecting topics of significance in our ever-changing world. This year, we welcome a panel of accomplished educational administrators, including two Loyola SOE alumni, who have worked together across districts and made a statewide impact.
Join us for "The Unfinished Educator," a candid conversation about the evolving journey of education, teachers, and leaders in our current context. The panel will include two distinguished Loyola alumni serving as superintendents, along with the chair of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), who will reflect on the growth, resilience, and future of educational leadership.
Featured on the panel are Michael Lubelfeld (EdD '05) and Nick Polyak (EdD '07), co-authors of Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today. Drawing on their experiences as superintendents, the book offers a forward-thinking guide for educational leaders, with practical strategies for navigating change, fostering innovation, and building school cultures that support both educators and students.
Panelist
Steven Isoye, EdD
Dr. Steven Isoye was appointed Chair of the Illinois State Board of Education in 2022, serving through January 2027. He is also Central States Region Director for the National Association of State Boards of Education and a delegate for the Education Commission of the States. A retired educator with 37 years in Illinois schools, his honors include Illinois Teacher of the Year (1998), Illinois High School Principal of the Year (2010), and the Milken Educator Award (1997).
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Panelist
Michael Lubelfeld (EdD '05)
Dr. Michael Lubelfeld has served as a public school superintendent in Illinois since 2010 and currently leads North Shore School District 112. A nationally recognized educational leader, he was recently named among the top 100 Influencers in Education and selected for both the ISTE-ASCD Generation AI Fellowship and Google-GSV Fellowship. Dr. Lubelfeld is also a recipient of numerous awards, including Loyola’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award.
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Panelist
Nick Polyak (EdD '07)
Dr. Nick Polyak is the Superintendent of Leyden Community High School District 212, serving 3,500 students across suburban Chicago. Previously, he served as a math teacher, coach, and administrator in Lincoln-Way High School District 210 and as superintendent of Illinois Valley Central School District 321. Dr. Polyak is also a recipient of many educational awards, including Loyola’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Read MorePAST SERIES
2024 Wozniak Lecture Series
In 2024, the lecture series changed to a live podcast recording format that focuses on human rights in education and features the School of Education Dean, Dr. David E. McIntosh. Learn more by listening to the thought-provoking discussion in which we continue Dr. Wozniak’s legacy of advancing education and fostering meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues of our time.
2023 Wozniak Lecture Series
2023's three-part series on LGBTQ+ education provided invaluable insights into the ongoing fight for inclusion. The sessions examined the historical context of current challenges, shared real-world experiences from educators, and critically analyzed the narratives shaping LGBTQ+ education. Attendees left with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to create more inclusive environments in their schools and communities.
Leadership in Education
Dr. John M. Wozniak
Dr. John Wozniak joined the faculty of Loyola University Chicago in 1950. One year later, he was made acting chair of the Department of Education. He served for 18 years in that capacity until the founding of the School of Education in 1969, when he became dean, a position he held for 10 years. John was a remarkable educator, scholar, mentor, colleague, and friend to all those passing through the School of Education. Dr. Wozniak retired in 1984 and remained active in the School of Education alumni events until his death in 2013.
The Loyola School of Education proudly presents the 2025 Wozniak Event, honoring our founding dean, Dr. John M. Wozniak. Since its inception in 2009, the Wozniak Lecture Series has evolved over time, reflecting topics of significance in our ever-changing world. This year, we welcome a panel of accomplished educational administrators, including two Loyola SOE alumni, who have worked together across districts and made a statewide impact.
Join us for "The Unfinished Educator," a candid conversation about the evolving journey of education, teachers, and leaders in our current context. The panel will include two distinguished Loyola alumni serving as superintendents, along with the chair of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), who will reflect on the growth, resilience, and future of educational leadership.
Featured on the panel are Michael Lubelfeld (EdD '05) and Nick Polyak (EdD '07), co-authors of Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today. Drawing on their experiences as superintendents, the book offers a forward-thinking guide for educational leaders, with practical strategies for navigating change, fostering innovation, and building school cultures that support both educators and students.