Belin named Kishwaukee Region 2025 IHS Principal of the Year

Dr. Marcus Belin, principal of Huntley High School, has been named the 2025 Illinois High School Principal of the Year for the Kishwaukee Region.

Belin is a fifth-generation educator.

“My grandmother taught in the Chicago Public School System for forty years. My mother’s work with the Chicago Charter School network focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It’s in the family. My sister is also in the education field,” he said. 

HHS Principal Dr. Marcus Belin. (Photo provided)

Belin attended Bradley University, earning a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in education administration. “I started teaching social studies in 2010 at a brand-new charter school in Peoria, housing fifth and sixth grades, Quest Charter Academy,” he said. “When I started teaching, I was single, 21 years old, and could complete the lessons and have time to spend in the dean’s office. I was building a relationship with the students. I wanted to understand why they behaved in my class but managed to get in trouble. I wanted to connect with them. When the dean’s position became open, I wanted it. I was first told I wasn’t ready, but I was offered the position later that summer.”

Belin’s career progressed, and he achieved the position of assistant principal of Dunlap High School, located north of Peoria. During his time at Dunlap, Belin introduced initiatives that made Dunlap one of the top schools in the state. 

“I am a kid at heart,” he said. “I enjoy what I do and want to provide a learning environment full of opportunities for all students. I want to make meaningful experiences for our students. We can have an impact on their lives now and their future.”   

In 2018, Belin applied for the principal position at Huntley High School.

“There were a lot of firsts when I got the position. I was the first black administrator,” he said. Belin was the first black Illinois Principals Association (IPA) president. He served as the Legislative Chair on the State Board.  

Belin completed his doctorate at National Louis University in July 2020. He graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and graduation ceremonies were canceled. However, Belin did get his diploma from National Louis University. He received a personal driveway mini-graduation ceremony on June 30, 2020.  

Belin said, “This was a surprise for me. It came after I had arranged for 737 Huntley graduates of 2020 who could not have a traditional ceremony to receive their diplomas. We delivered them to their homes. It took over 52 hours.”

Belin credits those who are close to him.

“I couldn’t do this without the support of my family,” he said. “My wife Monique is also an educator. She is the Assistant Principal of Chesak Elementary School. And I have three beautiful children, Maliyah, age 11, Makenzie, age nine, and a son, Mekhi, age six.”

Belin also enjoys the people who support him in the workplace.

“I love my staff. Together we are a great team,” he said. “Everyone has a voice at the table. We have a group of students who are part of the Principal’s Leadership Counsel looking at our Strategic Plan for Huntley High School 2030. We need to hear it from the student’s perspective.”

Belin has put Huntley High School on the map at the National Level. He’s on the National Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Directors (NASSP). It is the leading organization and voice for middle-level, high school principals and other school leaders across the United States.

Dr Belin’s ultimate goal is to serve as the United States Secretary of Education.

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