A Q&A with New LT Administrator Brian Mahoney

Lyons Township High School welcomes a new face to their staff this year. Brian Mahoney is a former teacher and administrator at Lincoln-Way Community High School. This year, Mahoney will join the staff and students at LT as the new assistant principal of the class of 2012.

Patch sat down to ask Mahoney a few questions about his experience at Lincoln-Way, moving to LT and working with this year's senior class.

La Grange Patch: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Brian Mahoney: My name is Brian Mahoney, I am the assistant principal at Lyons Township High School for the class of 2012.  This past June, my wife and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary.  We currently live in Oak Park, but are looking to move. While we don’t have any children, we do plan on it. Until then, we enjoy our niece and three nephews.

I look forward to working with the students at LT—the students I have met so far are extremely impressive! I hope I can continue to carry on the traditions and the first-class quality for which LT is known.   

Patch: Where did you receive your degree in teaching, and for how long did you teach at Lincoln-Way?

Mahoney: I earned my undergraduate degree in special education from Illinois State University.  I earned my Master’s degree in school administration and supervision from Governor’s State University. I am currently an educational administration and supervision doctoral candidate at Loyola University Chicago. 

I began teaching special education at Lincoln-Way Central in the fall of 2004. On my way to Lincoln-Way North as an assistant principal in its inaugural year, I moved to Lincoln-Way East to teach part-time and take a part-time administrative role.  My final two years were at the newest Lincoln-Way—Lincoln-Way West—where I took on the role of director of pupil personnel services and the coordinator of special services. 

Patch: How has your experience at Lincoln-Way prepared you for the duties of assistant principal at LT?

Mahoney: My experiences at Lincoln-Way include: teacher, part-time dean of students, dean of students, assistant principal, director of pupil personnel services and coordinator of special services. From these many roles, I have had the opportunity to see how a school operates from a global perspective. I have worked with members of the community, board of education members, faculty, staff, families and students to ensure that students of the school district I work for are provided the best opportunities to find success. I have been fortunate to be the person to share great news with students and I have also had the unfortunate responsibility of sharing not-so-good news with students and their families. Through all of these experiences I have made the best attempt to treat students fairly, listen to them, and validate any and all concerns they may have.  I know that everyone surrounding each student has the best intentions and wants the best for that student. 

Patch: What are you looking forward to about starting your first year at LTHS?

Mahoney: Lyons Township High School has a fabulous reputation. I am looking forward to seeing everything in action first-hand.  I started working here on July 1, and while the summer has been nice, I am really looking forward to getting students in the building and meeting the students. The students in the class of 2012 that I have met so far have been very nice, and I look forward to meeting the rest! 

Patch: What advice do you have for LTHS seniors?

Mahoney: My best advice for the class of 2012 is that the lessons and values that we at LT attempt to instill upon you, will take you much further than just graduation day.  These lessons and values will allow you to be productive members of society and more importantly, good people. 

Patch: How can LTHS seniors make their last year memorable?

Mahoney: To make their last year memorable, students should get involved in school-related activities, meet new friends (don’t just stick to the same clique), challenge themselves (whether physically, academically, etc.), and really think about how their current actions will affect them in the years to come. They need to have fun! They need to laugh! They need to stop for a moment to enjoy who they’re with and what they have, because the year will fly by!