The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) hosted a graduation celebration at DePaul University on May 28 for the Chicago Teacher Residency and Lake County Teacher Residency Class of 2026, marking AUSL’s largest graduating class in a decade and the graduation of the inaugural Lake County Teacher Residency cohort.
Resident teachers, AUSL supporters and staff, DePaul University College of Education faculty, mentor teachers, and district partners gathered to congratulate the Class of 2026. This year’s graduating cohort included 141 teachers who will join the growing community of 1,549 AUSL Teacher Residency alumni serving students across Chicagoland and beyond. The celebration was filled with joy, pride, and anticipation as graduates reflected on a year of learning, growth, and preparation for their own classrooms.
Carina Kearley, Director of the Chicago Teacher Residency, welcomed graduates by reflecting on AUSL’s 25-year legacy of preparing transformational educators. She highlighted several milestones from the past year, including the launch of the Lake County Teacher Residency, new partnerships that continue to expand AUSL’s impact across Illinois, and the collective impact the Class of 2026 will have on more than 4,000 students next school year alone.
“Collectively, next school year, you will have the opportunity to impact more than 4,000 students.”
Carina Kearley, Director, Chicago Teacher Residency
Messages of encouragement continued with remarks from Dr. Jennifer Mueller, Dean of DePaul University’s College of Education, who congratulated graduates on their accomplishment and welcomed them into the teaching profession.
“You’ve both studied teaching, and you’ve lived teaching, and that’s an incredibly powerful combination.”
Dr. Jennifer Mueller, Dean, DePaul College of Education
This year’s ceremony also marked a historic milestone for AUSL as members of the inaugural Lake County Teacher Residency cohort graduated alongside their Chicago Teacher Residency peers. Launched in partnership with local school districts across Lake County, the program expands AUSL’s mission of preparing highly effective educators to serve students and communities throughout the region.
The ceremony featured reflections from resident speakers representing both residency programs.
Stephanie Raggs-Minor, representing the Lake County Teacher Residency, shared her experience as a member of the program’s inaugural cohort and reflected on the growth, resilience, and community that defined the residency year.
David Goodloe, representing the Chicago Teacher Residency, spoke about the relationships, challenges, and accomplishments that shaped his journey and encouraged fellow graduates as they prepare to enter classrooms of their own.
The celebration concluded with remarks from Dr. Lindsi Lara, Chief Program Officer at AUSL, who congratulated graduates on reaching this important milestone and encouraged them to embrace the impact they will have on students, schools, and communities in the years ahead.
“The data shows us that when a child has three strong, effective teachers in a row, their academic trajectory can shift dramatically. The difference is between a 44th percentile and a 96th percentile. You could be one of those three for hundreds of children, thousands over the course of your career.”
Dr. Lindsi Lara, Chief Program Officer, Academy for Urban School Leadership
As the Class of 2026 begins the next chapter of their teaching careers, they carry forward AUSL’s mission of preparing highly effective educators who create lasting change for students.
Relive highlights from the Chicago Teacher Residency and Lake County Teacher Residency Class of 2026 Graduation Celebration by exploring the full gallery of photos from the event.
Inspired by the Class of 2026? The Chicago Teacher Residency and Lake County Teacher Residency prepare aspiring educators to become highly effective teachers through a yearlong, paid residency experience alongside experienced mentor teachers.
Learn more about becoming a resident teacher and start your journey today.
