A former Macomb High School (MHS) English teacher is back in familiar territory as he begins his first school year as the school's new principal.
Jimmy Heuer stepped into the role July 1, replacing Scott Sullivan who accepted a new position with the Regional Office of Education #26 (ROE26). Heuer began his teaching career at MHS in 1999 after serving as an admissions counselor at Western Illinois University. The U.S. Navy veteran earned his degree in English education from WIU, as well as his master's in educational leadership. Before joining Macomb High's faculty, he recruited prospective students for Western's roster for three years. But even before recruiting students and then joining the classroom, Heuer had a love for teaching others.
'We had a swimming pool in our backyard, and I was teaching swimming lessons when I was as young as 13. I didn't make the connection at that time about having a love for teaching, but that's where it started,' Heuer, who is a graduate of Davenport West High School, recalled.
'After serving in the Navy for four years, I graduated from Western and joined the admissions department. It was such an incredible feeling to make an impact on those prospective students who were considering WIU, even though I only spent a short time with them. I'd already completed my student teaching, so after a few years and experiencing a real satisfaction from working with students, I knew I wanted more of that in my life.'
Heuer taught English at MHS until 2013, and then he moved to the junior high to serve as a language arts teacher. In 2019, he returned to the high school where he taught English for another three years before being named the junior high assistant principal. It was after that one-year stint as an administrator that he was tapped to lead the new West Prairie Junior-Senior High School, where he was principal from 2022 until Spring 2025.
'I was encouraged to go into educational leadership earlier in my career, and I asked those who were encouraging me, 'why?' because I loved what I was doing. Most of them said because I'd make more money, but then one person said 'you can make a bigger impact,' and I filed that way,' Heuer shared. 'If it was about making more money to be satisfied in my career, I wouldn't be a teacher. When I thought about having an impact on all the students, as well as faculty and staff, that really led me to the educational leadership program. I also watched a few principals I worked for and saw what an impact they made.'
In Heuer's opinion, one of the things that has helped him be an effective administrator over the past three years has been his many years in the classroom, which has provided a stellar frame of reference to support teachers and support staff in the high school. And while he's looking forward to providing the support and encouragement to the building's employees, he's equally enthused about building rapport with the approximately 656 students attending MHS this fall.
Heuer said along with welcoming the students back, and watching them succeed and excel, he's most looking forward to helping Macomb High teachers grow and be as effective as possible so that they have a continued positive impact on as many students as possible. While he anticipates a positive and productive year, one of the new school district policies, which he stands behind 100 percent, is the new 'no cell phone' policy, which may create some “growing pains.”
The new policy prohibits students to have their cell phones on their person, or even turned on, during the school day.
'It's a great policy, and I expect some pushback at first as we all get used to this; however, I've been a teacher before cell phones were the norm and when almost everyone had one. In classrooms they are a distraction and contribute to a lack of focus, and it contributes to issues even beyond the classroom,' Heuer pointed out.
'Like anything new, it might be difficult at first, but it's a really good thing. A lot of our parents are supportive of this new policy and understand it's the right move.'
Other initiatives for the new year include the continued participation in ROE26's Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP), also known as LEAP (Leading, Educating and Partnering with the Community), which provides student advocates on site to help students who might struggle in one or more of the following: attendance, academics and/ or behaviorally, as well as the continued Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program, which places participating students in a variety of local businesses and organizations to gain work experience.
Last year, nearly 25 students took part. The school is also partnering with McDonough District Hospital to provide a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program for participating students. The school is also welcoming a new science teacher who hails from the Philippines, as well as six other new faculty and staff. Overall, the high school employs 45 teachers and 20 support staff.
'I went to a large high school and I didn't have a lot of interaction with our principal. I think having a daily presence is important, and I think I model my leadership style after some of the better principals I've been fortunate to have as a teacher,' he explained. 'A big part of my job is building a positive culture and climate for everyone. I want our students, teachers and staff to have a positive environment and a place they want to be every day. We are in the opportunity business in that we should be giving our students as many opportunities as possible while they're with us. We provide a value in their lives now, but hopefully long after they're gone.'
