After an extensive national search, The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) is pleased to introduce Adam Case as the organization's next Executive Director. The AUSL Board of Directors is confident that Adam is uniquely qualified to lead AUSL into an invigorating and innovative new chapter, continuing its legacy of fostering equitable educational experiences for students in Chicago and across the country. “Over the last 20 years, Adam has built a reputation as a strategic and innovative leader in both the public and private sectors,” said Cardelle Spangler, AUSL Board Chair. “He is...

AUSL's 48 Hours of Giving Campaign directly benefits the Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) Need-Based Fund. This CTR community resource helps Residents address unexpected challenges that have created hardship to successfully navigate and complete their residency by awarding financial assistance on a case-by-case basis. Life happens unexpectedly and barriers Residents experience include requiring assistance with extra learning support, transportation, housing and essential bills and classroom preparedness. This campaign helps expand AUSL's ability to help Residents cross the finish line,...

LiberatED Way hosted the inaugural Virtual Summit, Word on the Street, on Thursday, June 13, with educators, school leaders, community partners, and friends to explore the value of street data for school transformation. Word on the Street began with keynote speaker Marlon Styles, who engaged attendees with his personal story of being a former educator and superintendent of Middletown City Schools. Styles spoke about his strategic approach to collecting street data, how he engaged multiple groups from the school community, and reflected on the value of his findings to make progress and...

The Chicago Teacher Residency hosted orientation week for the new class of Residents from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14 at DePaul University. The goal for orientation is to set a foundation of success for incoming Residents to make connections with their cohort, understand expectations from DePaul University and the Chicago Teacher Residency, explore the values and key voices that will shape their learning from the program and identify the purpose and use of key tools and resources. Kate Rhodes Peterson, Director of The Chicago Teacher Residency, welcomed Residents to orientation...

The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) hosted a graduation celebration at DePaul University on Tuesday May 28th for the Chicago Teacher Residency Class of 2024. AUSL supporters and staff and DePaul University College of Education professors attended the celebration to address and congratulate the 22nd class of the CTR program. Our 73 Residents will join the community of 1,371 CTR alumni!Kate Rhodes Peterson, Director of the Chicago Teacher Residency, started the program with a welcome message to graduates, highlighting the important role of community throughout this year-long...

The Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) hosted a social event for the newly admitted Residents of the Class of 2025 at Bottom Lounge in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood on May 15. AUSL staff brought a warm welcome to the new class of Residents and provided any answers to questions they have for the upcoming year. It was also the first opportunity for Residents to get to know one another as a cohort. “The main thing I want to welcome you into today is this learning community. You’re joining a special community,” shared Kate Rhodes Peterson, Program Director of the CTR program. “We believe it...

Throughout the year, the Chicago Teacher Residency distributes CTR Values Awards to current Residents that embody three values: Student-Centered, Equity-Driven, and Courage to Persist. CTR staff celebrated the following award recipients at Professional Development meetings in April and May to close out the 2023-2023 school year.   Maya Martinez (Student-Centered)"Maya has been nominated for the Values Award because of her student-centered approach to teaching! Maya is always looking for ways to improve her teaching so that she is doing the best for her students. Maya’s instruction is...

The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) gathered with sponsors, supporters and friends for an evening of celebration on Tuesday, May 7th at the Four Seasons Hotel. Over two hundred guests were in attendance to honor the achievements of the last year and recognize the work of AUSL’s educators that empower students every day. Before the evening program, guests arrived and enjoyed a cocktail reception with one another that set the warm and cheerful tone that carried throughout the night. Ana Belaval, Journalist and WGN Morning News Feature Reporter, hosted the evening’s program.The...

National Teachers Academy in the South Loop neighborhood recently hosted a job fair for the current cohort of AUSL’s CTR Residents. School leaders and educators representing 20 schools across Chicago gathered to showcase their school pride, programs and job opportunities for the upcoming school year. “Events like this are helpful because we get an in-person feel for Residents and an early experience with speaking to them and possibly interviewing them on the spot,” said Shardai Bell, Personalized Learning Coordinator at Sherman Elementary. “I hope residents feel the intimacy of this...

Throughout the year, the Chicago Teacher Residency distributes CTR Values Awards to current Residents that embody three values: Student-Centered, Equity-Driven, and Courage to Persist. CTR staff celebrated the following award recipients at Professional Development meetings in February and March: Nicole McLean (Student-Centered)“I enthusiastically nominate Nicole McLean for the Student Center Award for her exceptional dedication and care toward students. Nicole is the definition of having a warm demeanor each day she arrives at NTA. Nicole consistently demonstrates a profound commitment to...