Jack Baldermann

Jack Baldermann is a student-oriented, compassionate and visionary administrator who excels at building teams to enhance educational communities. He shares proven, practical strategies in engaging presentations packed with insightful wit.

He has led schools to achieve significant student achievement gains and was selected as a finalist for national principal of the year award in 2022. Additionally, he has held principal and superintendent roles across multiple districts.

Early Life and Education

Jack Baldermann was raised in Chicago and quickly recognized the value of collaboration and hard work from an early age, lessons which would later serve him well in his education leadership career. These early lessons proved instrumental to his success as both superintendent/principal and education leader; winning multiple awards including Illinois High School Principal of the Year 2017 as well as being shortlisted as National Principal of the Year Finalist 2022; additionally being certified Solution Tree PLC at Work Expert as well as leading professional learning communities.

Riverside-Brookfield High School became one of Illinois’s most successful high schools under his leadership, as graduation rates and AYP test scores increased substantially, along with a 300% surge in Advanced Placement test passes and students enrolling for Advanced Placement courses.

Jack is an enthusiastic student-centered leader who inspires educators with his thought-provoking wit and wisdom. He has presented to thousands of teachers and administrators on disengaged students, receiving rave reviews for each workshop he conducted.

Professional Career

Jack has earned a stellar reputation among educators for his student-centric and results-focused leadership style. He has worked closely with school districts nationwide to assist with program design and implementation while serving as mentor to principals and superintendents.

At RBHS, he helped students achieve academic excellence and increase its rank on The Washington Post’s High School rankings by offering more Advanced Placement classes. Furthermore, he assisted underserved and diverse populations in reaching high achievement.

His work has been recognized with several honors. He was selected Illinois High School Principal of the Year and National Principal of the Year finalist. Mr. Green holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from University of St Francis; in education administration from Loyola University/Xavier University respectively.

Achievement and Honors

Jack Baldermann has been instrumental in building Professional Learning Communities at Westmont High School. Additionally, he has fostered an environment of compassion at his school that has led to increased student achievement – for instance 100% graduation of African American and Latino students since 2012.

Under his direction, the school has seen its ranking on the Washington Post high schools challenge index rise significantly and expanded access to Advanced Placement courses; increasing reputational standing.

As recognition for his efforts, the Golden Apple Foundation presented him with the Stanley C. Golder Award – given annually to outstanding educational leaders – by virtue of which it works to prepare, honor and support exemplary educators from Illinois-based non-profit.

Personal Life

After a lengthy tenure as principal at Riverside-Brookfield High School, Baldermann abruptly left in 2009 amid allegations of an affair with one of his staff members. Since then he has served as a consultant advising new principals and leading Professional Learning Communities nationwide.

In 2020, Westmont High School under his direction received the DuFour Award as best PLC in America. Under their watchful eyes, AP classes increased and thus improved Westmont’s rankings.

In 2018, Baldermann was honored as Illinois Principal of the Year and national Principal of the Year finalist. Under his new modified contract, which requires quarterly evaluations by his board and prior approval before engaging in any outside consulting projects, he proudly raised three children within Chicago city limits with his wife.

Net Worth

Jack Baldermann collects an impressive annual pay package as superintendent of Westmont school district in Illinois, in addition to receiving disability pension from his time as suburban police chief and mayor of New Lenox (which he claims he donates to charity), plus serving on Metra board which offers him an annual compensation of $15,000.

Baldermann has over two decades of leadership experience leading schools and districts to significant test score gains, presenting extensively on topics including Professional Learning Communities, getting students to succeed, motivating disengaged or unmotivated students, increasing graduation rates rates, student achievements/test scores as well as results-focused leadership.

Jack currently resides in suburban Chicago with his wife and children. His interests include golf, playing baseball and tennis – as well as supporting both the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs!