About | Mason Newell

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ABOUT

Dr. Mason Newell

I have lived in the Rich Township area since 1994 and am a proud product of Rich South. My experiences and the relationships developed with staff at Rich South assisted me in becoming a responsible, devoted citizen in Rich Township. I was not the “ideal” student; I was a student who had many experiences (positive and negative) that impacted my life trajectory. The staff at Rich South did not fully prepare me for my post-secondary success; however, they did prepare me to be resilient and resourceful.

After graduating from Rich South, I attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. My family is from the South (Louisiana, Mississippi), but attending Southern University, a Historically Black College University (H.B.C.U), prepared me as I transitioned to adulthood. After leaving Southern University, I received a bachelor's and master’s in special education, a master's in Administration and Supervision, and a son, Jamar.

Bio

I was not the most studious student in high school, but with the support of my mother, I attended Southern University (HBCU) in Baton Rouge, LA. While at Southern, I earned a bachelor's degree in Special Education, a master's degree in Special Education, and a master's degree in Administration and Supervision. I continued my education at the University of Illinois in Chicago, where I earned my doctorate in Special Education.

While pursuing my degrees at Southern University, I worked with adults with intellectual disabilities and taught special education. These experiences helped shape my determination to assist others who are less fortunate than I am and cemented my drive to be the best educator for my students. I left Louisiana a year after Hurricane Katrina. My experience with Hurricane Katrina motivated me to move back home and invest more in my community.

I started my Illinois teaching career at Rich East High School. Over the past 17 years, I have been a special education teacher, a dean, a division leader for Math, Science, and CTE, and an Assistant Principal. In each of my roles as a dean and Assistant Principal over discipline, negative student behaviors have decreased, suspensions have been reduced, and student opportunities have increased.

To better assist me in being an impactful educational leader, I have obtained my Doctorate in Special Education and certification as Director of Special Education and Superintendent. I have become a more active member of my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. while pursuing my interest in being a school board member. As a school board member, I believe I can assist students in being successful and prepared for life challenges, but I can also assist the district in developing leaders and being a flagship school district in the state of Illinois.

While I worked in education and pursued my educational goals, my son attended school in District 159 and graduated from Rich Central High School (District 227). My son played football with the Matteson Bears, while I assisted as a coach. Currently, my son attends Grambling State University in Ruston, La. He has plans of returning and living in the Rich Township area.

I have been successful in the field of Education, assisting in reducing inappropriate behaviors and increasing test scores at various local high schools, including Rich Central. My primary focus in Education is helping students pursue their post-secondary careers.

I have worked in the education field for more than 20 years. I have consistently advocated for students with special needs and tirelessly worked with students who exhibit inappropriate school behavior. Mason has helped countless students enroll in college or university, enlist in the armed services, or be employed at a livable wage at the end of their high school careers.

As a school board member, I, Dr. Mason Newell, will continue advocating for students by ensuring all students are treated fairly and increasing opportunities for students to enhance their high school experience so they can be enrolled, enlisted, or employed after high school. I also vow not to waste taxpayer dollars but to implement initiatives and programs to re-invest taxpayer funds into the Rich Township community.