Diane Horwitz, former adjunct instructor and creator of the College of Education’s Education Issues Forums since 2012, was recently honored by the Illinois Families for Public Schools (ILFPS) for her 10 years of service volunteering for their organization. ILFPS is a statewide advocacy group working to protect and support public schools. The organization works to increase funding for public schools, supports reform of high-stakes standardized testing, and advocates for the expansion of special education and early childhood services. It works to protect student data and privacy rights, and advocates against sending public dollars to private schools. They do this by educating parents and community members throughout the state and mobilizing citizens for legislative action in Springfield.

Diane helps research, writes and edits materials, and practices advocacy and outreach for the ILFPS and for this her decade of volunteer work was honored at a recent ceremony celebrating the organization’s 10 years of effective advocacy. When asked how the honor felt, she was modest in her response.

"It's a hard question, it's a very hard question…It was very nice,” she said before rushing to credit all her ILFPS colleagues ahead of herself, whom she graciously accepted the award on the behalf of during the ceremony.

When asked about the difficulties facing public education, particularly at this time, Diane had sage advice for those finding it difficult to deal with the current administration’s attacks on public education.

"It's depressing, but here's what I've always said: acting and doing something is the antidote to depression. People I know that are involved in some small ways are less depressed than people who are like 'this is so terrible!’ And history proves that to be true.”

Spoken like a true activist with heart.

Congratulations on being recognized for your tireless work, Diane.

For more on the Illinois Families for Public Schools, visit https://www.ilfps.org/