ALTON - For Julie Osborn, the chance to become the principal at Gilson Brown Elementary School was very exciting.
Osborn has worked in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 for 23 years. This is her first in the principal role at Gilson Brown. She expressed her joy to be a part of their school community, and she highlighted her goal to make sure every student and teacher has the support they need to succeed.
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“More than anything, I want Gilson Brown to be a place where kids are excited to come to school, staff enjoy coming to work, and everyone feels like they're part of a team,” Osborn said. “After 23 years, it's the students, the families, and the relationships I’ve built that make working in Alton so special to me.”
Osborn recognized her team at Gilson Brown, including her secretary and clerk, who work hard to keep the office running. She noted that the school wouldn’t be successful without everyone’s efforts to support kids as they learn and grow.
But Osborn’s favorite part of the job is spending time with the students. She loves popping into classrooms and celebrating their wins with them.
“At this age, they get excited about the littlest things, and you never know what they're going to say!” she laughed. “I love visiting classrooms, talking with students, and seeing how proud they are when they learn something new. I also really enjoy planning fun rewards and celebrations for our students, like our surprise dance party to celebrate attendance. Seeing how excited the kids get over these little things is one of the best parts of my job!”
Osborn thanked the teachers for “work[ing] so hard,” from planning creative lessons and activities to simply being the support students need. She emphasized that her goal is to, in turn, support the teachers and staff. She is proud of the team they have at Gilson Brown and eager to see them continue to grow together.
“One thing that's really important to me is building relationships with my staff and making sure they know I’m here to support them,” she added. “I want them to feel comfortable coming to me with ideas, questions, or concerns. I also think it’s important to be involved and work alongside them.”
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