A Life Dedicated to Education and Growth

Douglas Higgins was a man who found his true calling in education, even after a successful career in real estate. He spent 16 years as a principal and assistant principal in various schools. His passion for teaching and learning was evident in everything he did. He was deeply committed and thoughtful in his approach. Higgins was born in Cleveland, but he grew up in Evanston. He attended Loyola Academy in Wilmette, where he excelled in sports like baseball and basketball. He then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Notre Dame in 1965. After that, he pursued a master's degree from the same university in 1966. His early teaching career started at Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana, where he taught English for two years. He then moved to Chicago and taught at Crane Tech High School. In the early 1970s, Higgins made a significant career switch. He left teaching and ventured into property management with Draper and Kramer real estate. This phase of his life lasted for many years, but education always remained close to his heart. In 1998, at the age of 55, Higgins decided to return to his first love—education. He earned a professional educator license from National Louis University and became a school administrator. His journey back to education was driven by a deep passion and a desire to make a difference. He started as an assistant principal at DuJardin Elementary School in Bloomingdale. After two years, he took on the role of principal at Central Junior High School in Steger. A year later, he became the principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Calumet City. At Lincoln Elementary, Higgins introduced several innovative programs. He launched the Tiger Token store and program to encourage positive behavior among students. He also initiated the Read to Succeed program and quarterly raffle programs to recognize students who excelled in accelerated reading exams. His efforts helped build a strong culture of trust and teamwork among the staff. This collaborative environment was crucial in improving the school's test scores during his tenure. Higgins' impact on the school community was profound. Bonnie Walker, an assistant principal, highlighted the strong bond and shared purpose among the staff. The goal was clear: to educate and develop students socially, preparing them for life beyond Lincoln Elementary. Higgins' dedication and leadership were instrumental in achieving this mission. Higgins' personal life was also rich and fulfilling. He practiced daily meditation for over 50 years and was a follower of the Indian speaker and author Prem Rawat. He was married to Gabriela for 30 years and had a blended family that included two daughters, a son, two stepdaughters, a brother, and three grandchildren. His legacy of love and commitment to education will continue to inspire those who knew him.