Culver School Gets a Doctor

Some people love school so much they never leave.

Amy Kruppe is one of them.  The superintendent of Niles Elementary School District 71, which operates Culver School, got her doctorate in education Monday after six years of part-time study at Lewis University in Romeoville.

"I've been in school for a very long time," Kruppe acknowledged.

She already has a masters degree and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership, which took two and a half years to earn. Now, however, she can use the initials Ed.D after her name. 

The Ed. D, from the university's program for ethical leadership, focuses on social justice, Kruppe said. 

"It's about understanding cultural relevance, and not just looking at things through the Anglo Saxon eye," she explained. "For example, lunch programs--do they have vegetarian options?"

Not ready to give up her textbooks just yet, Kruppe is enrolled in an Illinois Association of School Administrators program of study and leadership for school superintendents. 

"I'm doing advanced study--25 superintendents were selected for a two-year program. We meet 10 times over two years," she said.

"So, I love school."