Dr. Lori James-Gross is the superintendent of Unity Point School District #140 in Southern Illinois; Unity Point is a Pre-K through 8 district of approximately 625 students serving an international population representing over 24 languages.  She began her teaching career as a high school history and government teacher in Texas in the inner-city San Antonio Independent School District.  Lori has spent the last 26 years in administration, including the past 20 as superintendent.  She also serves as an instructor in the Educational Administration and Higher Education department at Southern Illinois University.  Lori graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Secondary Education.  She also received a MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in Educational Administration.