Josh McMahon

Josh McMahon

Josh McMahon, EdD, is the assistant superintendent of education programs for Morton District 201 in Illinois. Previously, he served as principal of Morton West High School. Throughout his career as an educator, he has also served as an assistant principal, activities director, dean of students, and middle school teacher.

Dr. McMahon is an educator who leads through the lens and voices of his students. Within Morton District 201, he can be found talking with students in the hallways or observing learning within their classes. He is continually working with all stakeholders in the ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities that feed into the district, to ensure success for all students. During his tenure as principal, he saw gains in graduation rate, students earning college credit through AP and dual credit, an increased ninth-grade on-track percentage, a decrease in student discipline problems, and an increase in student athletic and activity participation.

Dr. McMahon developed a focus on four key areas: 1. the development of a professional learning community, 2. expanding access to Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses, 3. expanding family and community outreach and engagement, and 4. establishing a system of supports to catch struggling students before they fail. The leadership that he provided helped Morton West High School become a thriving example of what can happen when a school community unites to embrace the PLC lifestyle.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Concordia University in Chicago, and his doctorate in educational leadership from National Louis University.

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Presentations by Josh McMahon

• Parents and Community in School: Understanding the School Culture from a Parent’s Point of View
• Your School, Your Team: Building a Leadership Team to Transform School Culture
• PLC Process in a Large Urban-Suburban High School
• Changing Your School One Freshman at a Time: Collaborative Teams for Ninth-Grade Success
• Making Your Team the Best They Can Be: Fundamentals for Successful Leaders