Glenn "Max" McGee, Ph.D. :::
Glenn "Max" McGee, Ph.D.
Graduated in 1968
Inducted in 2001
A 1968 Lyons Township High School graduate, Glenn "Max" McGee has devoted his life and career to serving students. He began working with inner city students in 1970 and has held every position in education, from substitute teacher to superintendent. In 1998, he became Illinois' State Superintendent of Education, where his hard work and passionate commitment transformed the state agency and by several measures has made the state education system second to none. Believing that there is no ceiling on a child's potential, he has made significant changes in several facets of education and opened doors for disadvantaged youth. He authored legislation to fund high quality reading intervention programs for young children struggling to learn to read, implemented an assessment system that gives all students the opportunity to take college entrance exams, and led a statewide campaign to increase funding for students receiving special education services. He has served as president of the Illinois Teacher Retirement System and co-chair for a national committee on early learning. Having published numerous journal articles and papers, he presents at national conferences on education, curriculum, and research. He holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Chicago.