Illinois School Leader Pipeline Program

With 22 years as a high school science teacher, I’ve collaborated with ISBE science curriculum teams for over 13 years and contributed to the Pearson Biology Content Area Assessment writing team. I’ve developed and implemented district science curricula for Biology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, and Forensics. I’ve also designed and launched a new science course. I’m now seeking an administrative role, such as assistant principal, principal, or science content administrator, to leverage my experience and drive educational growth.

A bilingual educator who enjoys serving students, staff, parents, and the community to provide a high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for students to grow and lead within their community. Seeking an Assistant Principal position to provide effective leadership and administration to contribute to student achievement and create a positive school culture for all stakeholders.

I have taught at the high school (Meridian, Harrisburg, Herrin) and grade school (DuQuoin) levels, while also coaching at both junior high (Marion) and high school (Carterville, DuQuoin, and Herrin) levels in basketball. I feel my experiences at all levels of education across many diverse districts will be a benefit to my future administrative career.

I have 10 years of experience as a Physical Education and Athletic Enhancement teacher, followed by 2 years as an Athletic Director. Currently, I am serving in my first year as the Dean of Students at Pittsfield High School, bringing leadership and a student-centered approach to this role.

Experienced educational leader and IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, overseeing curriculum implementation, budgeting, and faculty development. Leads instructional teams, mentors teachers, and drives AP/IB program growth. Designs rigorous curricula and supports diverse student populations through strategic planning, equity-focused instruction, and postsecondary guidance, ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, and student success.

Summer has been a mentor and certified teacher for over twenty years, teaching grades K-9. She’s co-written curriculum and led various committees. She has a proven track record in closing student achievement gaps and has been instrumental in students’ admittances to advanced and selective programs. She is passionate about students and seeing them thrive! She has served on several boards including the SD100 school board. She believes in equity and fair practices for everyone. A Maywood native, Summer has two children and resides in Berwyn.

Currently, I am the Enrichment and Athletic Programming Director for KIPP One Academy Charter school. In this role, I execute enrichment and athletic After School programming using an original scope and sequence. Concurrently, I also teach 7th-grade Social Science. In this role, I create, develop, and implement U.S. History curriculum, aligned to the teaching objectives of the Common Core Standards, with a focus on the life experiences of Indigenous peoples and other ethnic groups living in America.

Starr Caldwell S.Ed brings over 17 years of multifaceted experience in a comprehensive and specialized educational environment. This experience includes leadership roles in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Starr is committed to driving positive change in educational settings as a nationally certified National Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) facilitator, Teach Plus, and ISBE advocate and member of District 214's Diversity Equity Advisory Council. With expertise in creating professional development programs, fostering dialogue, and implementing inclusive policies, Starr is poised to lead with integrity and advocate for marginalized communities. Additionally, her enrollment in the Doctorate in Educational Leadership program with the National Louis University signifies a dedication to lifelong learning and continued growth in educational leadership. As an administrator, Starr's passion for social justice and equity will undoubtedly make her a transformative leader in any educational institution.

Breana Calloway is currently the Resident Principal at Lenart Regional Gifted Center, a high-performing, selective enrollment school on the south side of Chicago. She started her career in education as a AmeriCorps member with City Year, tutoring elementary students within Chicago Public Schools. She became a teacher in 2017 and taught on the Southside of Chicago for 6 years before transitioning into her current leadership role. Breana earned a B.A. in Sociology from Illinois State University and an M.Ed in Elementary Education from National Louis University. She is now a Doctoral student in the Urban Education Leadership Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

I am completing my first year as a junior high assistant principal, drawing on eight years of experience in my current district, where I had the privilege of teaching 4th grade general education and 3rd grade English Language. With 16 years of classroom experience, I have developed a deep understanding of the joys and challenges educators face. Earning a Master of Arts in Educational Administration Principal Leadership has strengthened my commitment to fostering growth and development. I am passionate about continuing my journey in administration, where I can support students, staff, and families to create a positive and impactful school culture.

My experience in different leadership roles have helped me to acquire stronger confidence working on roles that have helped me to support my current school’s improvement plan. My current and prior positions as Bilingual Early Childhood Teacher, Bilingual Paraprofessional and Bilingual Family School Liaison, allowed me to develop an extensive experience working with families, teachers and students. I learned to maintain and provide a safe learning environment for young students while also developing and maintaining positive communication and relationships with students, their families, our staff and administrators. I continue to enjoy working and learning from other teachers and school leaders to provide a positive, safe and rich learning environment for all the students in our school. My previous experiences allowed me to gain practice and experience with student behavior and academic programs at the elementary level. I have received professional development to effectively implement the most recent Math, Reading and Social Emotional programs and curriculums used in District 300. Other academic programs I have experience working with are: Jolly Phonics, Estrellita, Schoology, Phonemic Awareness, Michael Haggerty, Handwriting Without Tears, Second Step, SRA, I-Ready, and I-Station. My technology abilities have also grown with time and practice. I know how to use different software programs that can guide teams to make changes, or adjustments to the instruction delivery of the students by collecting and analyzing academic data. Some of those programs are Slides, Powerpoint, Google Drive, Microsoft Works and Board Maker. I consider myself a quick learner, strong team builder and passionate for teaching and leading others.

6th-12th Grade English and RTI teacher, Crab Orchard School, Marion, IL. 2021-Present7th Grade ELA teacher, Whitworth Buchanan Middle School, Murfreesboro, TN, 2016-20217th-8th Grade ELA teacher, William Henry Oliver Middle School, Nashville, TN, 2013-2016

I have worked in Winchester, IL at both the elementary and high school buildings.

With 24 years of experience in education, I have taught PE/Health across high school, junior high, and 3-5 elementary grade levels in 3 school districts, currently working in the Rockridge school district. My experience as a junior high/high school coach and Junior High Athletic Director throughout my 24 years showcases my expertise in managing athletic programs. I am active in numerous committees, consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing the school community.

Instructional Coach for EL, Social Sciences, and World Languages (1 year), Spanish Teacher (12 years) ESL Newcomer Teacher (2 years).

3 years in high school English with varying grade levels, 4 years in middle school ELA

Experienced educator with 10 years in various educational roles, including 6 years as a teacher across Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades. My diverse teaching background provides a unique perspective on student development and instructional strategies, equipping me with valuable insights for effective educational leadership.

I have spent a decade serving students and families in high needs high schools in Chicago. I am passionate about servant leadership, data informed decision making, equitable outcomes, and excellent educational experiences for all.

I have been in high school education for 11 years, primarily in Chicago's highest need schools- 6 years as an ELA teacher, 3 years as an instructional coach, and 2 years as an Assistant Principal. I have collaborated with a wonderful team to earn network high 11th grade SAT outcomes and strategized to diversify the student population enrolling in our AP courses while increasing pass rates for the past 3 years.

Experienced educator with 17 years of experience in elementary education at Carrier Mills-Stonefort Elementary School. I have experience teaching Junior High ELA, Title I, Special Education, third and fourth grade. I enjoy serving on my district's building leadership team. I currently serve as a fourth-grade teacher and the district coordinator for our school's partnership with the Illinois Tutoring Initiative.

For the last three years, Jennifer has been the Program Advisor for Area 3 for the Illinois Elevating Special Educators. Before joining the IESE Network, she was a public elementary school teacher for 18 years and has worked as both a Special Educator and Dual Language Educator during her time in the classroom.

I taught Music and PE in Guatemala, 3rd/4th grade in California, and 5th grade in rural Illinois. My passion as an aspiring leader is curriculum design. In my current position, I have led the school improvement process - collaborating with teachers to reflect on their teaching practices to implement differentiated systems to grow student achievement.

I am currently a Spanish teacher and the district EL coordinator for Momence CUSD1. This is my fourth year teaching in Momence and my first year in my new role as the EL coordinator. Prior to working in Momence, I spent many years as an educator outside the public school system, as an early childhood teacher, as well as an ESL teacher in Chicago and in Santiago, Chile.

Bilingual educator with 17 years experience in a large suburban district. Experienced in curriculum development, student support, and fostering inclusive environments. Seeking administrative role to leverage leadership skills in enhancing educational outcomes and supporting faculty development.

With over 10 years of classroom experience and a strong focus on equity, I am seeking an administrative role to enhance student outcomes, support faculty growth, and foster inclusive practices. I bring a highly collaborative leadership style, equity-driven innovation, and experience leading multiple building- and district-level committees. I am committed to creating a positive school culture and ensuring academic excellence for all students.

High school English teacher with 6 years of experience, including roles as Publications advisor and NHS sponsor. Completed undergraduate and graduate studies at EIU. Currently completing a practicum at an intermediate school with 3rd-5th graders. Aspiring to become a 3rd generation principal, continuing a family legacy in educational leadership.

Currently in Jr. High Special Education, co-teaching in both Jr. High and High School to support all students in their learning.

After School Assistance Program Administrator, Summer School CAPE Administrator (Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education), PPS Team Leader, IPA Pipeline Grant Recipient

I taught various grade levels at a private school in Belleville, Illinois. From there, I moved to a rural school where I teach middle school English-Language Arts for grades five through eight. I have been on numerous committees including the teacher scholarship, RTI, and building committees.

Hello! My name is David Lerch. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years. I've taught a variety of grades from 5th grade to 8th grade. I've taught subjects ranging from ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. I’ve worked as an instructional technology coach as well as educational technology administrator. I’m currently serving ROE 45 as both a safe school principal and educational programs coordinator.

I taught 3rd grade for five years and then went on to teach 6th grade for five years. For the last three years, I have worked in the Curriculum Department as a Learning Support Specialist - supporting grades 3-8. I have engaged in research and development of curriculum and various instructional leadership opportunities.

Equity-focused, highly organized, dedicated educator with twelve years of teaching and instructional coaching experience in Chicago. A proven knowledge of MTSS, student assessment, leadership, culturally diverse curriculum, and social-emotional learning. Focused on the needs of Diverse and English Learners. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet academic and social-emotional needs of all students. Empathetic, life-long learner with common sense, a highly collaborative leadership style, and sense of humor.

I have been with my current district for 16 years. I currently serve as an instructional interventionist for students K-5th grade I focus on Tier 3 reading and math instruction. Prior to being an interventionist, I taught 2nd and 1st grade.

I have 22 years of experience in the education field. 17 of those years were in the Early Childhood field. I have experience in Birth to Three programs, Early Childhood Special Education, and facilitating parent trainings. The past 5 years I have been a 2nd grade special education teacher.

With over a decade in education, I began teaching English in South Korea before joining Teach For America. Through my association with TFA I worked as a high school English teacher for four years. Now a middle school English teacher in Chicago Heights District 170, I will soon hold two master's degrees. My journey as a teacher reflects my passion for equitable education, inspired by my immigrant parents' sacrifices. My goal as a future school leader is to support students in bridging the achievement gap and ensure that every child receives the opportunity to thrive academically, regardless of background.

Experienced English teacher with a decade of diverse roles in education, spanning high school and middle school levels. Specialized in both general education and special education, adept at curriculum development, and dedicated to fostering student success through innovative teaching methods and personalized instruction.

Equitable, collaborative, and data-driven leader with 4 years of teaching experience as a 7th grade math teacher in the south suburbs of Chicago. I’ve also worked with Golden Apple for 3 years as instructional support staff, focusing on educating aspiring educators in reflective seminars on instructional and professional best practices.

Shaunwell Posley is an experienced professional with over 31 years of valuable experience. He serves as a high school Dean of Students and Head Speech Coach, where he effectively leads and provides excellent customer service. Shaunwell is also an award winning author, motivational speaker, and mentor, contributing his expertise and inspiring others. With a strong commitment to education and making a positive difference, Shaunwell's contributions are highly regarded.

I have been a special education teacher who has worked tirelessly to advocate for the needs of my students. I want to expand the knowledge of educators in regards to the developing minds of our students.

I worked as a kindergarten teacher for eight years, two years in second grade, one year in third grade, and five years as an interventionist. I have worked with fifth grade as the ESL and ELA teacher for newcomer students. Prior to becoming a teacher, I was a legal assistant for over 10 years.

Versatile educator with a diverse background spanning preschool bilingual special education and kindergarten bilingual teaching. Transitioned into roles as an academic interventionist, instructional coach, and assistant principal, demonstrating adaptability and leadership across various educational settings. Proven track record of supporting student success and fostering professional development.

13 Years of Teaching Experience2 years CPS Network 13 Instructional Support Leaders for 34 Schools Results-oriented and educational leader with a proven track record of driving measurable improvements in instructional practices and student outcomes. Proficient at building MTSS capacity, fostering data-informed decision-making, and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance small group instruction, differentiation, and intervention alignment. Zealous about building school and classroom communities and leading students in social-emotional learning strategies that help establish a risk-free and collaborative learning environment.

School social worker for 11 years. 7 years at a therapeutic public day school serving high needs students providing therapeutic services including IEP services, crisis intervention and individual/group counseling and 4 years at a Middle School serving general and special education students while providing IEP, crisis intervention, and brief counseling services.

I have worked in education since 2008, in a variety of roles including teachers aide, tutor, and substitute teacher. In 2019, I earned my bachelor's degree and began teaching 3rd grade in 2020. I currently teach 7th grade English Language Arts. I am also obtaining a master's degree in Urban Educational Leadership from Rockford University. I earned my first master's degree in Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Sara is a multilingual school leader with extensive international experience and a passion for developing a sense of belonging in communities through effective systems.

Mashanda is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy. She currently leads the Culture and Climate team and actively works on the school’s attendance and MTSS committees to improve the overall student experience. Mrs. Scott has been recognized as an “Innovator” of the Year for bringing inquiry and science inside the classroom and is currently the 2024 South Cook Regional Teacher of the Year. As an advocate for her students, she is known for her ability to collaborate with community stakeholders to give her students access to experiences outside of their community. Mrs. Scott earned a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and is pursuing her Doctor of Education in Administration and Supervision with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Scott long-term research interests include enhancing student, teacher, and parent relationships, fostering an environment where students can learn and grow, and narrowing the student achievement gap in under privilege neighborhoods.

I am a 14-year veteran teacher. I have taught in two states, Tennessee and Illinois. I have taught all grade levels K-12 as a Physical and Health Educator. This year, while working on my Master's in administration and leadership, I started a mentor program in my school district. This is my fourth year in my current placement, and I noticed that my district needed a mentor program. By creating this program, I have helped teacher retention and classroom achievement.

At Speer, I was 10th Grade Advisory Lead, an ELA teacher (Top 3 in network), founded the Black Student Union, and led a PD. In District 205, I coached multiple speech national and state finalists, led curriculum development, and, as Principal’s Intern, drove community partnerships and Freshman on Track growth. With Golden Apple, I’ve been a scholarship recipient, co-teacher, Crystal Apple recipient, adjudicator, and instructor, developing cultural competency curriculum at UIUC and UIC.

I am a highly qualified, dedicated educational leader with 10 years of professional experience as a General Education and Special Education Literacy Instructor, the Network 17 Literacy Instructional Support Leader, and recently as the Resident Principal for Bowen High School. I have managed teams and piloted new district and network initiatives within Chicago Public Schools. My strengths are team management, mentoring and coaching, and fostering the continuous growth of relationships and school culture.

As a dedicated and passionate transformational leader with 16 years of ELA teaching experience, I've served in various capacities, including as an ELA Department Chair (current role), Instructional Coach and MTSS Facilitator. In addition to leading teachers and PLCs in implementing curriculum and instructional practices, facilitating data-driven discussions and professional growth coaching cycles, I also lead on multiple building- and district-level committees, collaboratively developing data-informed and evidence-based School Improvement Plans, and spearheading school-wide professional development initiatives.

Lead Coach with 10+ years experience in Chicago Public Schools, driving school improvement as a Lead Coach, Case Manager, and Early Childhood Special Ed Teacher. Led coaching cycles, managed IEP processes, and built inclusive learning environments. Demonstrated leadership in all roles, including as a Change Agent and Mentor, contributing to school improvement initiatives.

Bilingual educator and instructional leader with twenty years of experience in special education and dual language instruction. Experience with developing and presenting professional development in restorative practices, co-teaching, and differentiated instruction. Committed to culturally responsive teaching, equity, and inclusion that provides students the opportunities to reach their full potential.

Award winning twenty-year professional educator demonstrating exemplary skills in leadership, curriculum development, and cultural responsiveness. Working in the role of Instructional Specialist and Program Supervisor for the Franklin-Jefferson Special Education District while promoting life-long learning and collaboration with districts, staff, and families to propel student success. As a compassionate educator, I foster relationships through strong communication skills and integrity. My passion can be seen in my work with Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade students and families in the special education and general education setting.

Dual credit/Jr high social studies teacher

I worked as a special education teacher for 9 years before becoming a special education director. This is my 12th year in education and this year I have the duel role of Special Education Director and Dean of Students for Astoria Schools.

16 years of teaching pre-k through high school as an LBSI, administrative intern experience

Experienced educator and community volunteer with a strong background in working with diverse student populations. Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Expertise in curriculum development, literacy, and educational leadership. Proven leadership in student advising and staff affinity groups.

I am eager to bring over a decade of experience in teaching and leadership to the assistant principal role at your elementary school. I have led school improvement initiatives, facilitated professional development, and fostered collaboration among staff, all while driving equitable student growth and creating an inclusive, result-focused school culture.

Dedicated and seasoned school social worker with a 14-year track record of providing comprehensive support to both general education and special education students across diverse grade levels. Proven expertise as a mental health clinician in the community, demonstrating a commitment to fostering emotional well-being and academic success. Poised to integrate extensive experience into administrative roles to enhance educational outcomes and promote a positive school environment. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, social-emotional development, and collaborative approaches to student success.

Throughout the 20 years of my teaching career, I have had many experiences including 8th grade ELA, 4th/5th grade reading, and 2nd grade self-contained. I currently split time between two buildings as a digital literacy instructor for students in grades K-5th, and I also assist teachers in technology integration.