Keith Creighton
Decatur
Summary
Innovative assistant principal with deep experience guiding teams, shaping school systems, and leading large-scale initiatives that improve teaching and learning. Expert in master scheduling, strategic planning, and designing professional development that is practical, purposeful, and engaging. Passionate about creating student-centered environments through project based and gamified learning experiences. Builds trust through transparency, collaboration, and a steady, solutions-driven approach to leadership.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Principal
Decatur Public Schools: Dennis Lab School
Decatur, IL
08.2019 - Current
- Co-led one of the district’s five strategic planning pillars with a 20–30 member stakeholder team, received formal training in strategic plan facilitation, and presented the final pillar design and goals to the Board of Education.
- Led the multi-year development of Dennis’s dual-campus model, and revising post-COVID later supported the move to a new campus and reunification of the two buildings, coordinating staff, families, and community partners throughout each phase.
- Fostered strong, trust-based collaboration across all staff groups—teachers, support staff, secretaries, security personnel, specialists, and district departments—using clear communication and a solution-focused leadership approach.
- Developed and managed multi-year master schedules—intentionally designed around school priorities such as common planning time, teacher collaboration, PLC structures, and equitable student opportunities—while coordinating elementary and middle school needs, and building all sections and student schedules within the student information system.
- Designed and delivered purpose-driven, practical professional development that emphasized the 'why,' built staff clarity around expectations, and provided concrete tools instead of passive, information-only sessions.
Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: Dennis Lab School
Decatur, IL
08.2012 - 05.2019
- Served as the Middle School Department Head for seven years, leading the school’s expansion from a single self-contained 6th-grade classroom to a full 6–8 middle school; I built and guided a team that grew from one teacher to nine, designed the instructional model and schedules, and established core structures for Project-Based Learning, curriculum alignment, and overall middle school identity.
- Served on the Dennis Lab School Steering Committee, collaborating with district administrators, university partners, parents, and community members to guide school-wide priorities, long-term planning, and innovation efforts beyond the scope of the traditional school leadership team.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards, incorporating Project-Based Learning and gamification strategies to increase student ownership and motivation.
- Advocated for student needs by collaborating with parents, staff, and administration to create support plans.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: Stephen Decatur Middle School
Decatur, IL
08.2006 - 05.2012
- Developed engaging, standards-aligned lessons utilizing a co-teaching model, using experiential learning and historical role-play simulations to help students actively 'live' key moments in history and deepen their understanding through authentic, interactive learning experiences.
- Served as Social Studies Department Head for five years, providing curricular leadership, aligning instructional practices, and supporting colleagues in implementing high-quality, inquiry-driven social studies instruction.
- Served as 7th Grade Team Lead for five years, coordinating cross-disciplinary planning, supporting team problem-solving, and strengthening communication, consistency, and student support across the grade level.
- Served on the School Leadership Team for five years, contributing to building-wide decision-making, school improvement planning, and the development of systems to support student learning and staff collaboration.
5/6th Grade Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: Dennis
Decatur, IL
08.2005 - 05.2006
6th Grade Teacher
Decatur Public Schools - Brush College
Decatur, IL
08.2004 - 05.2005
4th Grade Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: French Academy
Decatur, IL
02.2004 - 05.2004
Education
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL05-2018
No Degree - Education Certification
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL12-2003
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Acting
Millikin University
Decatur, IL05-2000
Skills
- Team collaboration
- Team building
- Student engagement - Gamification
- Public speaking
- Strategy development
- School improvement
- Staff development
- Relationship building and netorking
- Discipline management
- Critical thinking and judgment
- Community engagement
Timeline
Assistant Principal
Decatur Public Schools: Dennis Lab School
08.2019 - Current
Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: Dennis Lab School
08.2012 - 05.2019
Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: Stephen Decatur Middle School
08.2006 - 05.2012
5/6th Grade Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: Dennis
08.2005 - 05.2006
6th Grade Teacher
Decatur Public Schools - Brush College
08.2004 - 05.2005
4th Grade Teacher
Decatur Public Schools: French Academy
02.2004 - 05.2004
Master of Science - Educational Leadership
Eastern Illinois University
No Degree - Education Certification
Trinity Christian College
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Acting
Millikin University