Dr. Pete Hannigan, Superintendent of Hawthorn School District 73, and Samantha Cook, Communications Director, discuss generational differences in the workplace, effective communication strategies to engage their community, and the importance of strong school culture. Join a light-hearted conversation with practical suggestions about bridging generational divides, leveraging social media, and creating a positive school experience. 

Follow Hawthorn 73 at https://twitter.com/District_73 and Dr. Hannigan at https://twitter.com/petehannigan

And be sure to check out the latest Hannigan's Shenanigan video here.

About Dr. Peter Hannigan

Dr. Peter Hannigan is an accomplished educational leader with a strong commitment to ensuring quality education for all. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration, an Educational Specialist degree, and a Master of Science in Education, all from Northern Illinois University. He began his career as an elementary school teacher, and his passion for education led him to assume various leadership roles.

Dr. Hannigan's administrative experience includes serving as the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the Schaumburg Consolidated Community School District 54. In this role, he oversaw a district with 15,000 students and 28 schools. Prior to that, he held principal positions at schools ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade.

As the Superintendent of Hawthorn School District 73, Dr. Hannigan is dedicated to the mission of 'Ensuring learning for all.' He leads a diverse student population of approximately 4,200 students across nine schools, providing equitable opportunities and a world-class, whole-child education. Hawthorn District 73 has earned recognition for its academic and extracurricular achievements, including National Blue Ribbon Awards and the 'Whole Child Award' from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

About Samantha Cook

Samantha Cook is the Communications Specialist at Hawthorn School District, responsible for overseeing communications for all nine elementary schools within the district. She plays a vital role in supporting the District's mission through effective internal and external communications, including the creation of impactful videos for Hawthorn School District as a key component of her work. With a background as a former television reporter specializing in delivering stories on education, Samantha brings a wealth of media expertise to her current role. She holds a degree in communications from DePaul University.

As a Communications Specialist, Samantha values families and believes in fostering a love for education. She is passionate about ensuring that Hawthorn students receive a quality education while forming meaningful, impactful relationships with the amazing teachers in the district.

Samantha is a proud bilingual Black Latina. Her goals goals include showcasing students' achievements, celebrating the district's dedicated staff, and fostering a sense of community among parents and community members. With her dedication and creative communication skills, she plays a crucial role in making Hawthorn School District a welcoming and vibrant educational community.

Follow SchoolCEO on LinkedIn or X/Twitter @school_ceo. 

Subscribe to SchoolCEO at SchoolCEO.com for research, stories, and strategies for leading your schools. And if you have a story you’d like to share, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about SchoolCEO and all of our resources on our About page. SchoolCEO is powered by Apptegy, the maker of the leading K-12 communications and brand management platform.