Master Board Member

Email: mmcdannel@sd163.com

Mrs. Margaret McDannel was first elected to the Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education in 1995 and served for twenty- five consecutive years until 2020. During that time, she served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Policy Committee. In 2023, Mrs. McDannel was re-elected to the Board and currently serves as Board President. Mrs. McDannel has attended workshops annually and has earned and retained Master Board Member status throughout the years. Mrs. McDannel has been a resident of the Park Forest community for 65 years and has been actively involved in the schools as PTO president, member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and member of the District Desegregation Planning Committee in 1973. Her husband, Leonard, served as a teacher for the school district and her three children attended the Park Forest schools and graduated from Rich East High School. Mrs. McDannel serves as the Board Secretary for the Birch Street Townhomes in Park Forest. Her professional career has centered around managerial positions for the manufacturing and transportation industry.

Additional Board Training

Member since 2021

Master Board Member

Email: jjordan@sd163.com

Mrs. Jacqueline Jordan was first elected to the Park Forest - Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education in 2009 and served until 2019. She served as President of the Board of Education from 2015 – 2017. Mrs. Jordan was re-elected to the Board in 2021 and currently serves as the Board Assistant Secretary. Mrs. Jordan also serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee and serves as a member of the Policy Committee and Education Committee. She has completed all IASB required workshops and training sessions including Open Meetings Act and Performance Evaluation Reform Training. Mrs. Jordan earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Governors State University in Health Services in 2015 and has devoted her career to working with high school students at Rich Township School District 227. Mrs. Jordan has been a resident of Park Forest for twenty-eight years. She is the mother of two children, both of whom attended District 163, and 4 grandchildren. As a Board member, Ms. Jordan has attended conferences and workshops on an annual basis and has attained Master Board Member status.

Additional Board Training

Master Board Member

Email: keperkins@sd163.com

Ms. Elmore - Perkins has been a resident of Park Forest since 1993. She was first elected to the Park Forest — Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education in 2005 and served as a member until 2009. She was re-elected in 2023 and currently serves as the Board Secretary. Ms. Elmore-Perkins holds Master Board Member status and has completed all required IASB workshops and training sessions. Prior to becoming a Board member, Ms. Elmore-Perkins served as a community member on the District’s Five-year Strategic Planning Committee in 2004. Shortly after moving to the community in 1993, Ms. Elmore-Perkins began to work in District 163 as the Director of the 4H Before and After School Program. This was the beginning of a strong collaboration between the school district, village, parents and the University of Illinois to provide child care, homework support, and crafts to the children of working parents. Ms. Elmore-Perkins has also actively served the Park Forest community since 1997 by volunteering on a variety of village committees, commissions, and tasks forces. Ms. Elmore-Perkins earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. She pursued her career in Early Childhood, working as a paraprofessional in District 163 and a certified teacher in the state funded Prekindergarten for All program until 2022.

Additional Board Training

Member since 2025

Email: amathias@sd163.com

Arin Mathias was appointed to serve on the Park Forest–Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education on February 5, 2025. She is a proud wife and the loving mother of five children, two of whom are currently students in District 163 schools. With a deep belief in the power of community and education, Arin has been actively involved in supporting local schools, including her service as Vice President of the Mohawk School PTO.​

Arin brings a strong academic background and a spirit of lifelong learning to her role. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a minor in Criminal Justice and a concentration in Forensic Accounting from Calumet College of St. Joseph. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. In preparation for her role on the Board, Arin has completed several important trainings, including the Basics of Governance, Open Meetings Act, Professional Development Leadership, and the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA), receiving certification in each.​

Committed to growing in her service, Arin is especially interested in continuing her education in School Business and Finance. She is passionate about helping every child thrive and is honored to represent the voices of families and students in the community. Arin looks forward to working alongside fellow board members, educators, and families to ensure a bright future for all students in District 163.​

Member since 2025

Email: kkendrick@sd163.com

Karin Kendrick was elected to serve on the Park Forest–Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education in 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School.  ​

Ms. Kendrick has been a resident of Park Forest since 2015, and she is also a parent of a child who attended District 163. Ms. Kendrick has a deep passion for supporting children and families. She has built a career in education, specializing in working with children, including those with autism. She is committed to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments and looks forward to contributing to the success of all students.

Member since 2021

Distinguished Board Leader

Email: wmosby@sd163.com

Mr. Walter Mosby was first elected to the Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education in 2007 and served until 2019. During that time, he served as President of the Board from 2009-2015. He was re-elected to the Board in 2021 for a four-year term and again served as President of the Board until 2023. Mr. Mosby currently serves as Chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the Policy Committee. Mr. Mosby has also served as Alderman of the 1st Ward for the City of Chicago Heights for seven years. Mr. Mosby earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in political Science from Lincoln University in 1983. Always dedicated to the youth of the community, Mr. Mosby’s professional career has included social work at Aunt Martha’s, student service work at Bloom High School District 206, as well as serving in the ministry as the pastor of Greater Faith Baptist Church in Chicago Heights. Additionally, he volunteers to sponsor and support various community service activities within the Park Forest - Chicago Heights community. “One of the things that I am proudest of is that I am a product and graduate of School District 163 from kindergarten to eighth grade. With this great pride, it gives me joy to give back to the community in which I grew up. The opportunity to enhance the lives of the students we serve is immeasurable.” Mr. Mosby is married and the father of a three children and three grandchildren.

Additional Board Training

Member since 2025

Email: tuwhite@sd163.com

Tegan Usher-White was elected to serve on the Park Forest–Chicago Heights School District 163 Board of Education in 2025. She is a radiant force of compassion, leadership, and resilience. She is a devoted wife, proud mother of three, and the esteemed First Lady of First Baptist Church of Park Forest. Deeply rooted in faith and family, she lives to serve, whether uplifting her congregation, empowering her community, or simply offering a listening ear. With an unwavering commitment to helping others flourish, she has spent over a decade transforming lives not just spiritually, but professionally as the powerhouse behind Beautiful Mane Hair Company, a thriving beauty brand she’s led with grace and excellence for 11 successful years.​

Currently pursuing her degree in Education with a milestone graduation on the horizon in 2026, she continues to lead by example, balancing entrepreneurship, ministry, and motherhood with elegance and strength. A tireless advocate for women and families, her life’s mission is to ignite hope, build confidence, and create opportunities for others to rise. Whether in service through ministry for her community, in the salon, or in the classroom, Mrs. White is a true vessel of purpose, driven by love and called to lead.