About Me
Christopher L. Finch, Ed. D.
Chris lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with his wife, Kathryn, two children, and their beloved dog "Oliver." A passionate advocate for children and public education, Chris has been an educator for over two decades and served as a teacher, adminstrator and college professor. He has taught music and theater in the public school systems of Winnetka, Carpentersville and Lake Zurich and spent eleven years as an elementary principal in both Lake Zurich School District 95 and Northbrook School District 28.Currently, Chris is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in La Grange School District 102.
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Chris served as principal of Westmoor Elementary School in Northbrook, Illinois from 2008 to 2016 and began his foray into administration in 2005 by serving as principal of Sarah Adams Elementary School in Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95. He has also served as a vocal music and drama teacher at Lake Zurich Middle School South, a vocal music teacher at Carpentersville Middle School in Community Unit School District 300 and as a vocal music teacher at Carleton Washburne Middle School in Winnetka Public School District 36. In addition to his current role at La Grange School District 102, Chris serves as an adjunct professor at Concordia University Chicago and has also previously taught at Loyola University Chicago.
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A graduate of Augustana College with a bachelor's degree in music education and vocal performance, Chris also holds a master’s degree in music education and educational technology from Northwestern University and a second master’s degree in educational leadership and organizational change from Roosevelt University. He completed his doctoral studies at Loyola University Chicago in 2013 by earning his doctorate in administration and supervision. His areas of expertise and professional interest include teaching and learning, human resources, organizational psychology, technology and communications.
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In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chris is an actor, singer, and costume/set designer. He has appeared in many productions, such as Old Joe in Damn, Yankees! and as Marcellus Washburne in The Music Man. Other roles include Pharaoh in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls and Cat in The Hat in Seussical the Musical. He also directed productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Once Upon A Mattress for CenterStage in Lake Forest and has built costumes for several productions as well. Originally from Rockford, Illinois where as a boy he toured the United States as well as England and Japan with Kantorei: the Singing Boys of Rockford, Chris has been singing professionally since fifth grade and has been a part of many professional singing and theater groups.
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Chris aspires to change the world through education. As an advocate for children, he hopes to become a voice in the education conversation and to influence and shape the classroom expereince for all children.
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