Dr. Don Grossnickle

Dr. Don Grossnickle is a career educational leader. He served for over 15 years as a secondary school curriculum director prior to pursuing early retirement in 2003. Don was selected to serve as the National Chairman of the (NASSP) National Association of Secondary School Principal's curriculum committee. He was a high school biology teacher and assistant principal. Dr. Grossnickle received his doctorate in curriculum and supervision from Northern Illinois University in 1980. He has taught graduate level courses in curriculum design and development. Don is the author/co-author of 6 books and over 50 published articles on the topics of: adolescent motivation, discipline in secondary schools, and prevention of high school dropouts.

Most recently Deacon Don Grossnickle is a full time volunteer Founder/Director of a Disability Outreach Partnership Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Don is an ordained permanent deacon serving the Roman Catholic Community on the special staff of the Bishop for Vicariate 1. He has served as a deacon since 1988.

Don became actively involved in the field of celebrating abilities over disabilities as he served as a volunteer assistant and advocate for Rob Komosa and Rocky Clark beginning in 2000. Both Rob and Rocky were paralyzed playing high school football. Don received the Horace Mann Lifetime Community Service Award from the Illinois Principal's Association in 2001.