P.J. Karafiol hosts Governor J.B. Pritzker at Lakeview High School
On June 30th, Dr. P.J. Karafiol (Cohort 12) hosted Governor J. B. Pritzker at Lakeview High School. At this convening, the Governor signed an executive order to create an “Affirming and Inclusive Schools Task Force” to address the marginalization of transgender students in Illinois. Pritzker remarked to the numerous supports at the event, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, “Under this executive order, ignorance is no longer an excuse for bigotry”.
Janice Jackson Speaks at Aspen Ideas Festival
On June 28th, Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Janice Jackson (Cohort 1) joined University of California President Janet Napolitano, Aspen Institute CEO Dan Porterfield, and the New York Times’ David Brooks on a panel at the Aspen Ideas Festival to discuss the “diploma disparity”. Journalist Richard Whitmire served as discussant and also shared some of his lessons and reflections from his book, The B.A. Breakthrough: How Ending Disparities Can Change the Face of America. Support for this panel was generously provided by The Walton Family Foundation.
Marcey Sorensen appointed the Deputy Chief of High Schools of the Madison Metropolitan School District
On June 26th, the Madison Metropolitan School District (Madison, WI) announced that Dr. Marcey Sorensen (Cohort 4) will serve as the Deputy Chief of High Schools. Since 2017, Dr. Sorensen served as the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction as well as an Administrator on Special Assignment to provide support to the leadership team at La Follette. Prior to her leadership in Madison, Sorensen was a principal in the Chicago Public Schools for over 10 years. For 6 of those years, Sorensen led Roberto Clemente Community Academy. At Clemente “Marcey was awarded Independent School Principal Status, a program designed for high-performing principals who demonstrate strong performance over time with minimal oversight from the district. During her tenure at Clemente graduation rates went from 37.6% to 80.1% and her freshman on track rates went from 58% to 93%, as well as moving the school off probation to a school in good standing. Under her leadership, Clemente also earned the International Baccalaureate World School Status in 2015.”
Ethan Netterstrom appointed Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction of the Madison Metropolitan School District
Dr. Ethan Netterstrom (Cohort 4) will become the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction of the Madison Metropolitan School District (Madison, WI). Dr. Netterstrom has nearly 12 years of public school leadership experience. His journey as a school leader began as an assistant principal at both Burroughs Elementary School (CPS) and at Langford Community Academy (CPS). He then served as the founding principal (with Dr. Katie Magnuson, Cohort 10) of Skinner North Elementary School for 7 years. Under their leadership, Skinner North was acknowledged by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program (2016).
Patrick McGill Named Assistant Director of Educational Services at Glenbard District 87
School Board Members of School District #87 (Glenbard) have recently appointed Dr. Patrick McGill (Cohort 11) the Assistant Director of Educational Services. Most recently, Dr. McGill served as a Leadership Coach and a Consultant for the Chicago Public Schools, Unit School District #46, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to his coaching and consulting work, McGill served as the Principal at George Westinghouse College Prep (CPS). During his five-year tenure at GWCP, he and his colleagues increased the school ranking in US News and World Report from “unranked” in 2014, to the #22 Best High School in Illinois in 2018, and earned “Exemplary School Summative Designation” by ISBE in 2018.
Regina Roberts Named Contract Principal of Sherman Elementary School
Dr. Regina Roberts (Cohort 11) is Sherman’s (CPS) first contract principal since the school was turned around in 2006. Last year, Regina and her colleagues worked tirelessly to develop a shared vision that encourages continuous improvement for teachers and students through data analysis, strategic planning, curriculum development, mentoring and building a professional learning communities. The awarding of the contract comes on the heels of learning that Sherman received the highest rating on the 5Essentials Survey. Sherman was also recognized by the Office of Social and Emotional Learning as an “Established Supportive School” for fostering a supportive environment committed to social and emotional learning (SEL), in addition to being awarded the Whole School Redesign Grant for personalized learning.
Frank Gettridge appointed Executive Director of the National Public Education Support Fund
On June 10th, Dr. Frank London Gettridge (Cohort 6) was unanimously selected by the Search Committee and Board and named the Executive Director of the National Public Education Support Fund. “Frank is a wonderful person to lead the National Public Education Support Fund and expand its role in the education philanthropy community,” said Dan Leeds, President of the Board and founder. A New Orleans native, Frank possesses over 25 years of experience in education, with successful tenures as an early childhood, elementary and high school teacher and administrator.
Brian Kelly named Principal of Dr. Martin Luther King College Prep High School
Brian Kelly (Cohort 15) has been named the Principal at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Prep High School (CPS). With over 16 years of experience in the Chicago Public Schools, over half of his career has been devoted to teacher-leader/administrative experience. In 2008, Kelly joined the staff at Westinghouse as a social studies teacher and Athletic Director. At Westinghouse, Kelly nurtured his teacher leadership skills by serving and leading five different school committees. Most recently, Kelly was the founding assistant principal at Austin College and Career Academy and a resident and assistant principal at John F. Kennedy High School. One of Kelly’s strongest contributions to Kennedy was his leadership of the math team, resulting in a 9% increase in students meeting/exceeding expected gains.
Terrycita Perry awarded Cahn Fellowship
On June 13th, the Chicago Public Schools announced that former UIC student Terrycita Perry (Cohort 2) was the recipient of a Cahn Fellowship.The Cahn Fellows Program, hosted by Columbia University’s Teachers College, admits principals from large urban school districts, for example New York, Chicago, Denver. Each fellow picks an assistant principal or teacher leader as an “ally” to attend a two-week leadership institute in the summer and then participates in an ongoing study with research faculty.
Seth Lavin, Sherly Chavarria, and Leonard Harris named Chicago Principals Fellows
Through the generous support of The Chicago Public Education Fund, three UIC principals have earned Chicago Principal Fellowships: Seth Lavin (Cohort 12), Sherly Chavarria (Cohort 13), and Leonard Harris (Cohort 5). According to the Fund, Fellows will participate in “a rigorous executive leadership program provided by the Kellogg School of Management and the School for Education and Social Policy, both at Northwestern University. Fellows will also meet regularly with CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson to shape policies that impact all Chicago schools”.