At its Aug. 11 meeting, the District 45 Board of Education appointed John Dorhauer to the Board. The appointment follows the Board’s search to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Board Member Emily Shultz.
Following the appointment, Dorhauer was sworn into office during the meeting and will serve on the Board until the next consolidated election in April 2027.
Dorhauer brings a passion for education, music and community service to the District 45 Board of Education. Throughout his career, he has taught students of all ages and has served as an adjunct professor at Moraine Valley Community College and Elmhurst University, where he developed curriculum, advised students and helped create a minor in popular music studies. He has also taught in a variety of K-12 and higher education settings, including music theory, music history and music appreciation.
Dorhauer has a strong commitment to serving his local community. He volunteers at his children’s schools and has coached youth baseball, basketball and soccer for the past five years. He also presents educational music programs through area public libraries and serves on the Villa Park Community Recreation Commission, where he has helped organize community activities, including the Lufkin Park Family Entertainment Series and a sports equipment swap.
A Villa Park resident for the past 12 years, Dorhauer lives with his wife and two children. His son will begin sixth grade at Jackson Middle School this fall, and his daughter will be a third grader at Westmore Elementary. As a District 45 parent, Dorhauer said the opportunity to serve on the Board gives him another way to become involved in the educational experiences of his children and other students throughout the district.
“This is an incredibly important time for District 45, and I am eager to do what I can to help our district continue to provide students with a quality education and life experience,” Dorhauer said. “As someone who has experience in and passion for curricular education, fine arts, and athletics, I see myself being an advocate for all of these opportunities offered by the district.”
Dorhauer said he is especially looking forward to building relationships throughout District 45.
“I am looking forward to strengthening existing connections I have within our community and forging new connections with families I have not yet met,” he said.
Dorhauer earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education/music theory-composition from Elmhurst University and a Master of Music degree in composition from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. In addition to his work as an educator, he is an accomplished composer, bandleader and performer. He performs trumpet throughout the Chicago area and leads the Heisenberg Uncertainty Players, a jazz big band that performs his original music. His work as a composer has been recognized through numerous commissions, grants and awards.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve on the school board, and it is not a responsibility I will take lightly,” Dorhauer said.
