Mr. Wes Skym

Wesley Skym
Theatre & Communication Educator

Doctor of Education - Learning Design and Leadership (In Progress)

(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Master of Arts - Communication, Media and Theatre

(Northeastern Illinois University)

Bachelor of Science - Theatre Teacher Education

(Illinois State University)

Wes Skym is a theatre and communication educator with interest in the foundations of social climate in the classroom, building interpersonal relationship using computer-mediated communication (CMC), and the correlation between CMC and learning theories to create successful virtual learning environments and facilitate computer-mediated learning (CML). His research contributions include the assessment of educational technology for student success in the classroom based on pandemic-era reflections and the development of the HI-FIVES model to assist teachers and administration with the implementation of strong CML environments in K-12 institutions.

While his current role in the school is as a Drama Teacher and Director, Wes assists in many planning-based roles to provide enriching opportunities for students from coaching Speech Team to judging local speech tournaments to leading activities for the school's outdoor education experiences to planning field trips for the Ski Club and Theatre Department. His practices are student-centered, with many of his efforts being focused on performing arts advocacy and program improvement. The theatre program he directs is nationally recognized with the designation of Premier Community for Theatre Education by the Educational Theatre Association for 2023-2026. In addition to this, Wes is an Adjunct Instructor of Communication at the College of Lake County.

Wes's bachelor's degree is from Illinois State University in theatre teacher education, with a focus on communication education and using these classrooms to build interpersonal skills. In regard to graduate education, Wes continued to study communication and theatre with an added emphasis of media technologies through the Communication, Media and Theatre master's program at Northeastern Illinois University. He is currently working on his EDD in Educational Administration and Leadership through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Wes Skym has earned multiple academic-based awards, including being a two-time recipient of the NEIU Libraries Award for Excellence in Research, a three-time recipient of the Marian Elliot Excellence in Education Grant through the ABC/25 Foundation, and graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors from ISU. He is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honors Society and the National Eagle Scout Association, participates in a number of annual professional development opportunities on equity and inclusion through the National/Illinois Education Associations and Opportunity Coalition, serves as the Youth Theatre Representative on the Board for the Illinois Theatre Association, and serves on the Speech Advisory Committee for the Illinois Elementary School Association.

Outside of the classroom, Wes enjoys voice acting and has participated in a number of audio-based projects.

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