No two Distinctive Schools Assistant Principals are exactly alike, but they all share a deep commitment to ignite teacher leadership and champion student excellence. As we prepare to celebrate National Assistant Principals Week, April 7–11, 2025, we're excited to shine a light on their incredible impact!
Art In Motion - Sonya Teague
At Art In Motion, Assistant Principal Sonya Teague witnesses firsthand the power of support and coaching in education every day. For Teague, true growth blossoms when teachers engage in meaningful professional development and receive impactful feedback, establishing an environment where reflection and collaboration work in harmony. She is incredibly proud of the math team at AIM, as they have flourished through intentional support, data-driven design meetings, and instructional observations. Beyond academic achievement, Ms. Teague is passionate about inspiring students to become critical thinkers and leaders, envisioning their education as a journey of discovering their voices, passions, and potential. It's the sight of students stepping into their power and believing in themselves that fuels her daily dedication, knowing the work done today lays the foundation for their future success.
CICS Bucktown - Lindsay Garcia
CICS Bucktown’s Assistant Principal Lindsay Garcia’s strong and approachable leadership is a critical value for both students and staff. Known for building meaningful relationships, Ms. Garcia consistently offers support and a listening ear to anyone in need, demonstrating her deep dedication to the Bucktown community. Even outside of school hours, her fierce belief in the well-being of the school shines through as she makes herself available whenever necessary. Ms. Garcia is a trusted thought partner and colleague, always prioritizing the best interests of the students and the community, while also bringing friendship and laughter to those around her.
CICS Irving Park - Annie Dillon
Assistant Principal Annie Dillon's leadership at CICS Irving Park is characterized by her unwavering integrity and a commitment to high expectations, creating an environment where every student and staff member feels valued and supported. Her ability to build strong relationships and navigate challenges with grace makes her a true cornerstone of the school community. Drawing upon her experience in teacher leadership and innovation, Ms. Dillon fosters a culture of collaboration and growth where everyone’s perspective is respected. Her dedication, wisdom, and the genuine connections she forges make Irving Park a better place each and every day.
CICS Loomis - Jasmine White
Our CICS Loomis Assistant Principal Jasmine White embodies a spirit of support and collaboration, aiming to create an environment where both teachers and students flourish! She champions teacher growth through targeted feedback and modeling best practices. Ms. White's infectious enthusiasm— including her spontaneous celebratory dances—showcases her commitment to recognizing and celebrating every achievement. She is especially proud of data-driven instruction at CICS Loomis, where students have grown through Data and Design. Driven by the conviction that genuine excellence occurs when individuals feel seen, supported, and celebrated, she cultivates a culture of trust, growth, and joy, making CICS Loomis a family where everyone thrives!
CICS Longwood Elementary - Kamilah Chandler-Connor
CICS Longwood Elementary Assistant Principal Kamilah Chandler-Connor's prioritizes academic excellence and a nurturing school environment. She champions instruction through close collaboration with instructional coaches, all while leading climate and culture initiatives, ensuring student safety, and fostering social-emotional learning. Ms. Chandler-Connor is especially proud of the growth she has seen from first-year teachers, as well as watching her students evolve into accountable, intrinsically motivated individuals. Since joining the Distinctive Schools team, the emphasis on higher-level thinking and best practices has accelerated her own growth as an educator and leader. We’re grateful for her passion for teacher development, and commitment to supporting urban education and the surrounding community!
CICS Longwood High School - Jeremy Roussel
Assistant Principal Jeremy Roussel at CICS Longwood High School champions both teacher and student growth by focusing on instructional excellence and academic culture. He spearheads ACT preparation and testing coordination, and works with instructional coaches to elevate teacher capacity through targeted professional development and data-driven instruction. Mr. Roussel's dedication extends to teacher evaluations, prioritizing growth, and fostering a classroom environment of rigorous learning and meaningful, joyous engagement. Mr. Roussel is inspired by his students' resilience and potential, believing that equipping them with critical thinking skills and ownership of their futures leads to them thriving. He also emphasizes the exceptional staff community at CICS Longwood High School, a team that operates like a supportive family, modeling for students the importance of empathy, unity, and heart-centered leadership.
CICS Prairie - Deanya Watkins
At CICS Prairie, Assistant Principal Deanya Watkins ushers teacher and student growth through meticulous planning, support systems, and high expectations. Her proudest moment this year came when Prairie students Jade and Joy Lee confidently interviewed with ABC7 News. This experience reinforced Ms. Watkins' belief that providing students with opportunities and encouragement allows them to surpass expectations, highlighting the importance of building confidence, student leadership, and student voice alongside academic achievement. She is excited about inspiring students to shape their own futures, a journey she passionately supports. Ms. Watkins considers her role at CICS Prairie as 'heart work,' driven by a desire to push, support, and inspire both teachers and students to reach their full potential.
CICS West Belden - Kathy Clough & Laura Nasello
CICS West Belden is fortunate to have two incredible Assistant Principals—Kathy Clough and Laura Nasello!
Ms. Clough supports teacher and student growth through collaborative planning, instructional coaching, classroom modeling, and leading professional development. A particularly proud moment for her this year was reconnecting with former 2nd-grade students who are now thriving in middle school. Ms. Clough is excited to see her students become self-advocates and positive contributors to their communities. Her unique journey at West Belden, spanning various roles from resident teacher to assistant principal, has provided her with invaluable insights into the needs of the school community, and she remains continually inspired by the dedication and collaborative spirit of her colleagues!
Ms. Nasello ensures both teachers and students have the resources they need to succeed, focusing on culture and operations to create a supportive daily environment. She is especially proud of the vibrant energy of Friday assemblies, which exemplifies the school's strong community spirit! With 16 years of dedicated service to West Belden, Ms. Nasello is most excited each year to observe the remarkable growth of her students, particularly the journey of 8th graders who have been part of the West Belden family since kindergarten.
While this week is National Assistant Principals Week – we are excited and honored to celebrate our incredible Distinctive Schools APs every week! APs play a critical role in each of our schools, each as unique as the roles they fulfill. From coaching our teams to growing student confidence, each AP brings their whole heart to their work. We’re proud of the culture they’ve helped shape at their schools and we are so excited to celebrate them! We invite you to join us in recognizing their dedication and leadership.