Principal Mauricia Estes has always had a passion for helping others grow – empowering students and colleagues alike to discover new ways of learning and to become confident, informed members of their communities.
She is just two months into her principalship at Ludwig Van Beethoven Elementary, but has built momentum throughout the various experiences in her career that prepared her for her first complete school leadership role.
Before she cemented her career in education, Principal Estes was set to follow a path in the tech industry after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Shaw University. She landed a job with IBM and was a consultant training the U.S. Census Bureau and other companies on IT systems. Yet, she didn’t feel a sense of belonging.
“It didn’t bring me the joy I thought that it would,” said Principal Estes.
“There was a lack of social connection. I was one of only two women, the youngest, and the only Black team member.”
As her consulting work focused heavily on training, her family and friends shed some light on the possibility of growing her teaching abilities.
“That’s when the little teacher training bug bit me,” she said.
“The training aspect of my career in tech revealed my passion for teaching and ultimately led me to searching for teacher training programs and joining AUSL.”
Principal Estes was attracted to the AUSL Teacher Residency’s emphasis on building relationships, data-driven instruction, and metacognitive thinking about student learning. She trained at the Chicago Academy and Dodge Elementary during her residency year.
“AUSL equipped me with tools to overcome educational challenges,” she said.
“The program exposed me to all facets of being a teacher. From working through challenging student behaviors, learning gaps, and even difficult parent interactions–there was value in being exposed to those experiences before I was on my own.”
Graduating in 2008, Principal Estes is still in contact with her mentor teacher and has kept her first ever lesson plan on notebook paper, 17 years later.
She started her career as a second grade teacher at Morton Elementary and quickly became an AUSL mentor teacher to support resident teachers in the program. After four years, she moved onto Marquette Elementary to be a lead teacher for the third grade and later took on other roles such as a math coach and an academic director.
“I enjoyed being in the classroom and bringing students to fully understand and excel at math,” she said.
“But, as I was trusted with more responsibilities among my colleagues, I wanted to pursue that calling for administrative work.”
She soon became the Assistant Principal at Marquette Elementary for two years and moved on to Carter Elementary where she was Assistant Principal for a decade.
This past summer she was on the principal eligibility list and was presented with an opportunity to lead Beethoven Elementary.
“My focus is to build teacher capacity, as it has always been a constant in my career,” said Principal Estes.
“I have an authentic and hands-on approach to my leadership style. I am not afraid to be vulnerable with my teachers. I am right there with them. I roll up my sleeves to show them I’m not above the discomfort or challenges they face.”
Principal Estes credits this growth mindset in her career to the AUSL Teacher Residency.
“As a resident teacher, your learning involves being uncomfortable, but that is essential to your development in the classroom,” she said.
“It produces significant professional and personal growth. That’s why I have such a long-term commitment to AUSL and the program that has paved the way for my career.”
Principal Estes has a deep belief that the AUSL Teacher Residency not only helped discover her passion for teaching, but also refined it to be effective, lasting, and applicable to all her roles in education. She continues to access her AUSL community for advice and guidance, nearly two decades after graduating.
Principal Estes’s journey shows how the AUSL Teacher Residency can launch lasting, purpose-driven careers in education. If you’re ready to make a lifelong impact like she has, start your path today by applying to the AUSL Teacher Residency.
Apply today: https://connect.auslchicago.org/apply/
