Will County Gazette

Adam Rusek, the newly hired fine arts coordinator for Joliet Public Schools District 86, has enjoyed being able to give students access to an arts education in the short time he has been with district.

“It has been a pleasure to get to meet and work with such wonderful staff and families here in Joliet,” Rusek told Will County Gazette. “The ability to collaborate with such passionate teachers and colleagues to provide an equitable education for the fine arts students of Joliet has been a truly exciting experience. The ability to witness the full progression of students, from kindergarten through eighth grade, has been my favorite part as I am able to appreciate and take part in the education of every student in our district.”

Rusek has been serving as the district’s fine arts coordinator since the end of July.

Adam Rusek, fine arts coordinator for Joliet Public Schools District 86

“A few of my goals for my first year in the position are to improve communication within the district pertaining to the fine arts and to ensure that our elementary general music and art curricula are aligned to the standards and engaging for our students,” Rusek said. “Most importantly, I want to ensure that each of our Joliet students has the opportunity to engage in the fine arts and has a positive experience in doing so.”

Rusek, who was born and raised in Orland Park, spent the last 11 years working in the Peotone Community Unit School District 207-U as the band director and music teacher at Peotone Intermediate Center and Peotone High School. He has a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a master of education leadership from Olivet Nazarene University.

“I was fortunate to have excellent teachers who left a lasting impact on me personally and professionally, and I felt called to serve in education to provide that same imprint on the students under my care,” Rusek said. 

While Rusek is brand new to the Joliet community, he volunteers at the New Lenox Park District where he lives. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing drums with a Scottish bagpipe band called Chicago Celtic Pipe Band.