Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! Karibu! Bienvenue!

Thurgood Marshall Learning Center (TMLC), home of the Titans, is the referral school for the Rock Island Milan School district. It serves approximately 100 students in grades 7 - 12 in an alternative school setting.  In order to best meet the needs of our students and to ensure their success, the Thurgood Marshall staff employs a variety of initiatives and techniques to provide a safe and supportive environment for all students.

Our philosophy at TMLC is to utilize relationships, respect, and resilience to create a pipeline to a productive future for our students. In alignment with our RIMSD #41 2025 Strategic Plan, we work to prepare all children for individual success by providing a safe and inclusive quality education within a multicultural community.

We welcome you to the Thurgood Marshall Learning Center Family, and we appreciate your engagement and support--our doors are open.  We look forward to working with your student and getting to know your family!  

Mr. Tim Wernentin brings 40 years of experience in education to his role as Principal of Thurgood Marshall Learning Center (TMLC). His career includes teaching Speech Communication and Career Education, serving as an Associate Principal, and leading schools in Davenport, University City, Missouri, Rock Island, and Sherrard. He previously served as Principal of Rock Island High School and Principal and 7–12 Curriculum Coordinator at Sherrard High School, where he retired in 2025. After a brief retirement, Mr. Wernentin returned to education as a substitute administrator at TMLC before stepping into his current leadership role.

Mr. Wernentin believes that building positive relationships with scholars, families, and staff is essential to creating a supportive school environment where every scholar can learn and thrive. His goal at TMLC is to ensure every scholar has a plan and is prepared for life after graduation. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée, Tina, and his three adult children, Tyler, Cameron, and Caitlin. His interests include fishing, golfing, traveling, and playing pickleball.