A Collection of Publications & Resources
The Academy for Urban School Leadership Overview

Changing the Face of Education

A Transformative Model for Recruiting and Retaining Excellent Educators

Repairing the Harm… Restorative Justice Succeeds When We Honor the Humanity of the Child

The Transformation of Learning Outcomes for CPS Students in Underserved Neighborhoods

Practical Guidance for Supporting Today’s Novice Teacher in Uncertain Times


A Transformative Model for Recruiting and Retaining Excellent Educators

Changing the Face of Education

Repairing the Harm… Restorative Justice Succeeds When We Honor the Humanity of the Child

Overview of The Academy for Urban School Leadership

The Transformation of Learning Outcomes for CPS Students in Underserved Neighborhoods

Practical Guidance for Supporting Today’s Novice Teacher in Uncertain Times
More resources
New Residents Begin the CTR Year with an Informative and Community-Building Orientation
“I am learning from the best,” new resident David Armstrong reflected, “from educators who not only understand the ins-and-outs of CPS culture, but passionate educators who have the experience to back it all up.” The incoming cohort of 89 residents recently completed their five-day orientation for the Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR). The CTR team welcomed the residents with community building and foundational information to prepare for the year ahead.The orientation sessions covered the CTR’s values, teaching frameworks, and tools to be an effective educator. Chi Blasingame joined the...
New Class of Teacher Residents Gather for Program Kick-Off
Chicago Teacher Residency's 2024 class gathered for the first time to connect before embarking on a new chapter in their careers. Residents met colleagues teaching across several subject areas, learning each others’ motivations and journeys to becoming teachers. Some join the cohort with experience in education as counselors or substitute teachers while others come from industries such as scientific research and airline service. With varied backgrounds, many residents shared their interest in advancing and establishing their careers through Chicago Teacher Residency’s training and...
Associates Board meets to discuss leading educational transformations
Terrill Wilkins was a high school history teacher before he moved to the Midwest to pursue a legal career. “I loved working with and coaching my students, and supporting them towards their academic and postsecondary goals,” Wilkins said. “Teachers are the foundation of a student’s educational journey and AUSL’s CTR is at the frontlines of ensuring Chicago’s students have equitable opportunities to achieve postsecondary success.” Wilkins joined AUSL’s Associates Board in 2013 and has become a champion of AUSL and teachers in Chicago. In March, the Co-Chair of the Associates Board hosted an...
CTR Partnership School Job Fair
More than 50 Chicago Teacher Residency residents participated in the Partnership School Job Fair in March. The job fair brought in 20 schools to speak with graduating CTR residents. Some residents left the networking event with job offers in hand. “It was a wonderful job fair, residents looked sharp and the schools brought their swag,” Kate Peterson, Director of the CTR said. “There was conversation, laughter and excitement. Many residents expressed their enjoyment in meeting school teams they hadn’t previously considered in their job search.” Carina Pruitt, Associate Director of the CTR...
AUSL Launches New Advertising to Appear in Crain’s Chicago Business and the Chicago Tribune
Educational Equity Nonprofit Brings Excellence to Chicago Schools The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) is an equity focused non-profit that works tirelessly with the belief that all students should have access to an excellent education. Since 2001, AUSL's conviction for equity in education has impacted thousands of students and families who reside in under-resourced communities. AUSL's Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) has trained 1,218 teachers. Over 80% of our 2021 CTR class graduates are teachers of color, and 54% are special needs teachers. The Path Forward - AUSL has...
Twenty years of Transforming Lives in and out of the Classroom
AUSL is an equity-focused non-profit that works tirelessly with the belief that all students should have access to an excellent education. Since 2001, AUSL’s conviction for equity in education has impacted thousands of students and families who reside in under-resourced communities. This weekend the Chicago Teacher Residency celebrated the graduation of Diverse Learner, Elementary, and Middle School teachers. Hear from CTR graduate Amaziah Burton, class of 2021, on why she chose to become a resident in AUSL’s Chicago Teacher Residency. AUSL's Chicago Teacher Residency has trained 1,218...
Developing a ‘North Star’ for Middle School Graduates
Developing a ‘North Star’ for Middle School Graduates Success Bound at AUSL It’s your first day of high school. The halls are crowded and loud, and the scene overwhelms you. For comfort, you opt for your 8th-grade bookbag, a sign of more familiar times. After 1st-period, you realize this bag is missing your mandatory history book. You rush down three flights of stairs, across the crowded hallways, and finally make it to your locker. You can’t remember your combination. The bell rings. You now have a tardy, and this is your first week. This scenario might sound familiar to you. The...
AUSL Teachers and Graduates of Chicago Teacher Residency address the Chicago Board of Education Meeting
On Wednesday, April 22nd Dray Patterson an instructional math coach at the Marquette School of Excellence, and Jessica Kimbrough a Diverse Learners teacher and mentor at Dvorak School of Excellence spoke at the Chicago Board of Education Board meeting. Both are graduates of the Chicago Teacher Residency (CTR) and teach in AUSL network schools. Jessica began her teaching career through the CTR, AUSL’s teacher training program, and has served as a Diverse Learners Teacher at Dvorak School of Excellence for over six years. In Jessica’s address to the CPS Board, she described her commitment...
Collins Academy High School “Our Chance Now” Lab Grand Opening
The Collins Academy held the grand opening for their “Our Chance Now” Lab, a new computer and robotics laboratory donated by Chance the Rapper’s foundation Social Works. Collins Academy received $100,000 for their new computer science program which included repurposing space and adding a Mac, robotics, gaming, and digital computer labs. The “Our Chance Now” Lab includes a Design Media lab outfitted with Mac computers, robotics and 3D printer areas, a networking computer lab, a gaming center, and an instructional area. The Lab allows the Collins Academy to provide a robust Career and...
Congressman Danny Davis Visits NTA Student Congress
Congressman Danny K. Davis, Illinois Representative from the 7th District, visited National Teachers Academy, an AUSL Network School on Friday, Ferbruary 14. Congressman Davis participated in the third annual inauguration of the NTA Student Congress. Students in grades 3-8 participated in elections. Each homeroom elected one Representative and each grade elected two Senators for the Student Congress. These students will work with NTA Principal Isaac Castelaz to address issues such as service-learning projects, selecting backpacks/uniforms, choosing incentives and more. Principal Castelaz,...