Biographical Sketch -- Hedy and Jeff

Jeff Adkins-Dutro and Hedy Elliott-Gardner both graduated from Calvin Coolidge and, later, from Manual High School. Hedy has taught in District #150 for thirteen years and Jeff for fourteen; they are both committed to the teachers and the students of District #150.

Hedy received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University where she also earned a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on African-American / Latin studies. Hedy has taught at Harrison Primary School and Roosevelt Magnet School; currently, she teaches at Garfield Primary.

Hedy has taught at the Adult Education Center and currently teaches GED at the Peoria County Jail and Proctor Community Center as well. Hedy has long been an advocate for adult education.

Hedy was a strong advocate for the many teachers who were treated poorly at Roosevelt Magnet School. She is absolutely not afraid to stand up for and to speak up for what is right.

Hedy is heavily involved in our community; currently, she serves on the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity, the Peoria Park District Rec Advisory Committee, Peoria Park District Inner City Services, and she is the president of Friends of Proctor Center.

Jeff Adkins-Dutro earned his bachelor's in English education from Missouri State and later a master's degree in liberal studies and another in English (both from Bradley University). Jeff taught at Manual High School for fourteen years before being transferred due to restructuring. Jeff dedicated much of his life to his Manual students while standing up for and supporting the many teachers who were done wrong. Jeff spoke out about the restructuring of Manual High School -- a process that has (as he warned) turned into a nightmare.

Jeff has also been an advocate of adult education -- having taught at the Adult Education Center and the Peoria County Jail.

Jeff is involved in his community. He has been a long-time volunteer EMT and firefighter with the West Peoria Fire Department.

Hedy and Jeff have spoken to their families about what the next two years will entail. Hedy and her husband Zeb have two children; Jeff and his wife Karen have five. Although the Elliott-Gardner and Adkins-Dutro families will be sacrificing much of their time over the next couple of years (if Hedy and Jeff are elected), Hedy and Jeff and their families are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get our district on the right track. Our students and we teachers deserve better and together we will make things better!