Right now, there’s a crucial struggle about to unfold in the Illinois Legislature that will impact every staff member, student, and family in Chicago’s schools.
Principals are the backbone of Chicago’s public schools, the steady force ensuring that students and communities thrive despite the turmoil. But this stability doesn’t happen by chance; it’s something we fight for every day, with every ounce of our energy.
Thank you to the principals and assistant principals who participated in the Elected School Board Forums last week. It was crucial for laying the groundwork for inclusion after the elections. We must ensure that our collective voices are heard, and CPAA is here to represent that voice. Board members must also recognize that to effectively understand the needs of the districts they serve, they need to maintain open and regular communication with principals and assistant principals. The forums went a long way to illustrate those facts.
The national elections are now behind us, and it’s time to focus on healing and working together for a stronger, more united future for our nation. We all share a desire for opportunity and progress, and our commitment to these ideals will guide us forward.
CPAA and The Fund are working together to connect school leaders with candidates for Chicago’s first-ever elected school board.
This is a historic opportunity to engage directly with the people who will shape education policy for YOUR schools. We’ve organized two forums to give candidates and school leaders multiple opportunities to exchange ideas, ask questions, and ensure that the insights of principals and assistant principals are part of the conversation.
As a teacher of history, government and law at Forest Park High School in Baltimore, Darrin Brozene discovered that “if students connect with you, you can push them to excel.”
Especially when teaching government, he would tell them, “This is why you’re doing it. Here’s how it applies today.” In his view, building connections to our times has never been more important than it is right now.
He liked looking at the electoral map with his students at the Baltimore city school. He also liked coming up with thought experiments.
