• Editor’s Note: This week (May 7-13, 2017) is Public Service Recognition Week. The following story is written by Mike Ademe of the Regional Office of Education as part of a series celebrating public servants in Kane County.

An easy misconception about working for local government is that it’s boring and repetitive. But for Eleanor Morris, each day is anything but mundane.

Morris has worked at the Regional Office of Education for more than a decade, and it’s safe to say that she has experience in a little bit of everything. Throughout her time at the ROE, she has worked in finance, transportation, GED testing and truancy, just to name a few. The reason she has such a wide range of experience is that helping others is a core part of her personality.

Eleanor Morris is willing to step up and meet a need, no matter the extra work.

“One of the reasons I love what I do is that each day brings a new task and an opportunity to make an impact for someone,” she said. “All the work that we are doing at the ROE goes all the way down to impacting the students and teachers in Kane County.”

Morris’ passion to help others follows her home, as well, and can be seen in two of the organizations for which she volunteers her time.

The first is called Operation Snowball, a community-based alcohol, tobacco, and drug use prevention program focusing on leadership development to empower youth to lead drug-free lives. As a volunteer leader, she has the opportunity to give back to the community and be a mentor for high school students. Operation Snowball helps students build self-esteem and learn more about themselves during an important, formative period of their lives.

Morris also does volunteer work for REGAP of Illinois, a nonprofit adoption group for retired racing greyhound dogs, where she raises awareness on adopting greyhounds and finding them loving forever homes.

“As part of REGAP, I know that I have a lot of love to give,” she said. “I fell in love with greyhounds through REGAP and I love being able to help people learn about these great dogs and the adoption process of finding them a loving home.”

With all this love, Morris gives her all to the ROE and her volunteer organizations, working behind the scenes to impact residents throughout Kane County in a positive way.

About the Kane County Regional Office of Education

Led by Regional Superintendent of Schools Patricia Dal Santo, the Kane County ROE is located in Geneva and serves nine school districts. From teacher licensure assistance to professional development, the ROE’s mission is to advocate for education, provide leadership and perform regulatory functions. Learn more about the ROE’s offerings on Facebook, Twitter and by signing up for the semimonthly newsletter.