Aaliyah Mendez
Dr. Glowacz EdD
Recently, three Taft administrators have obtained their EdDs (Doctorates of Education): Assistant Principals Melissa Hess and Alexis Covarrubius and Principal Ryan Glowacz. This program is for people who seek leadership roles in education, administration, or related fields. The skills you learn during your process of getting an EdD help those who want to implement change in an educational setting.
Earning an EdD is a significant commitment, as programs typically take three to five years to complete. Many are structured to accommodate working professionals, offering night classes that allow students to balance their studies with their careers. EdD graduates are well prepared to pursue careers as school principals, superintendents, administrators, curriculum specialists and university professors.
For Principal Glowacz, the journey was both rewarding and demanding. He described the program as particularly challenging, noting that time management was the most critical factor in his success. Reflecting on his earlier education, Glowacz has shared that his experience as an IB Diploma student during his high school years at Taft high School laid a strong foundation for his academic and professional achievements.
“If I didn’t start the process when I was 16, I wouldn’t have accomplished anything now…The things I learned at the UIC program, I also applied on how to make the school better. The question I asked myself was always, ‘How can I make Taft a better place for all of us,’” said Glowacz.
His EdD journey began in Jan. 2021, when Covid was still prevalent. At the time, schools were transitioning from remote learning to in-person instruction, which presented a major adjustment. The program also included various specialized courses depending on the university and area of focus.
One of the toughest parts of the program was the capstone project. Glowacz had to pick a real problem in education and do deep research to find ways to fix or improve it. He spent a lot of time reading, collecting information and putting everything together in a clear way.
This hard work all led up to his final step, presenting his research. At the end, he had to share his findings in front of a group of professors and other educators. His final paper ended up being an impressive 265 pages long! It was a big challenge, but the project gave him ideas he could actually use to help improve things at Taft.
In the midst of completing his doctorate, Glowacz also transitioned from Assistant Principal to Principal, a shift that brought about substantial changes in both his personal and professional life. Initially, he tried managing all responsibilities independently but soon realized the importance of collaboration. He acknowledged the invaluable support of Taft’s seven Assistant Principals, saying, “The seven Assistant Principals helped me leverage this school. If it weren’t for them, it would have taken a bigger toll on me.”
In general, to begin an EdD program, candidates must hold a master’s degree and meet academic standards such as maintaining a strong GPA (typically a 3.0 or higher). The application process often includes submitting transcripts, letters of recommendation and a resume.
Assistant Principal Melissa Hess has also shared her inspiring journey toward earning her EdD. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in education, she pursued two master’s degrees at Loyola while adhering to her demanding schedule. Despite these challenges, she managed to complete her final semester ahead of schedule.
Adding to her impressive accomplishments, Hess balanced her academic and professional commitments while becoming a mother to two children. She candidly spoke about the importance of self care during this time, noting, “I needed to listen to my body, things started to impact me in a negative way.”
Throughout her doctoral program, Hess found numerous opportunities to apply her learning directly at Taft. She expressed her deep appreciation for her role, saying, “I love working at Taft and I am really happy I get to do what I enjoy while approaching school improvement.”
Together, Glowacz and Hess exemplify how educational leadership and continued learning can directly impact a school community. Their dedication and accomplishments have not only shaped their careers, but also have contributed to the ongoing improvement at Taft. By staying connected to both their research and the students they serve, they continue to thrive and strive for excellence in education.