October is Principal Appreciation Month, and at Distinctive Schools, we deeply honor and recognize the incredible leaders who guide our campuses every day. This year, we are giving flowers—a tribute to the dedication, vision, and heart our principals pour into their schools, their staff, and their students.
The foundation of a thriving culture is a strong leader, and our principals are truly exceptional. We gathered notes of appreciation from across our network to shower them with the recognition they deserve. Here is a look at the "flowers" being shared with our amazing principals:
Principal Kory Kliebert, CICS Bucktown
Principal Kliebert's leadership is defined by his unwavering focus and deep loyalty to the Bucktown community.
"You have a pride in your community that runs deep, and your loyalty and dedication to Bucktown is beyond evident."
"I love the way you show up each day with heart and a relentless commitment to doing what’s best for kids."
"His focus on student success is the driving force behind everything that happens at Bucktown!"
“He is always open to my ideas and builds on them to make sure our students and families feel that strong sense of belonging here at CICS Bucktown.”
Principal JW Kuebler, CICS Irving Park
Principal Kuebler brings an infectious energy and commitment to ensuring a positive experience for everyone on campus.
"Mr. Kuebler brings joy and the desire to have everyone’s experience be the best it can be to all he does."
"You carry joy through every inch of your campus, ensuring that everyone’s experience is full and meaningful."
"Your reflective nature serves as a guiding example, always centering teacher voice at the heart of every decision."
"He does such an incredible job of always thinking about getting our students' voices at the table."
Principal Amber Kirk, CICS Lloyd Bond
Principal Kirk is celebrated for her powerful combination of passion, thoughtfulness, and instructional knowledge.
"Mrs. Kirk’s passion and thoughtfulness shines through in everything she does."
"I appreciate opportunities to work alongside her and experience firsthand the care she puts into building up our school community."
"Your deep knowledge of instruction and commitment to high expectations create the conditions for kids to thrive every day."
"Every decision you make is in the name of students and what they need to be successful."
Principal JoeAnn Nash, CICS Loomis Primary
Principal Nash's warm spirit and dedication to clear, courageous communication make her a cornerstone of her campus.
"She always greets me with a warm hug that makes me feel welcome!"
"You consistently go above and beyond to ensure our youngest learners have the strong foundation they deserve."
"The calm and productive learning environment we see when we visit is a direct testament to Mrs. Nash’s leadership!"
"Thank you for always naming what needs to be said and for bringing clarity with courage — a gift to everyone around you."
Principal Melinda Jean-Baptiste, CICS Longwood Elementary
Principal Jean-Baptiste is admired for her transformative vision and determination to build that vision into reality through hard and heart work.
"You have a distinct vision for your school that integrates the very best for our students."
"I deeply appreciate her dedication to build her vision into a reality, and the hard and heart work she does to make it happen."
"Her long-term vision for what these students can achieve is truly transformative."
"Your commitment to building staff capacity helps teachers grow into their best selves, and your vision for a thriving student culture shines through."
Resident Principal Terrence Davis, CICS Longwood Elementary / CICS Longwood High School
Resident Principal Davis is celebrated as a quiet force—a steady presence who grounds his school communities in calm, compassion, and consistent relationships.
"He brings a grounded, calming influence to every situation."
"Your steady presence is truly a gift, you are the calm in the storm, a quiet force who leads by example and never seeks the spotlight."
"What shines most is the way you make it a point to connect with students, reminding us that strong leadership is rooted in relationships."
"Mr. Davis is a quiet storm that has such intense power for such subtle delivery."
Principal Jeralyn Harris, CICS Longwood High School
Dr. Harris leads with passion, authenticity, and an infectious excitement that brings a joyful energy to her high school community.
"Your excitement for education and your ability to speak to things directly and clearly is the perfect combination."
"Your visionary approach to expanding opportunities and creating more choices for our high school students ensures that every learner can see a future full of possibilities."
"What I admire most is the laughter and joy she brings to the work, making it never feel like work at all."
"Dr. Harris’ passion for student success is quite literally infectious."
Principal Rachael Beucher, CICS Prairie
Principal Beucher is recognized for her ability to cut through the noise and model a thriving, joyful school community built on advocacy and support.
"You cut through the noise and get right to the thing."
"Mrs. Beucher leads with such grace, lifting others through her example and modeling daily what it means to create a thriving, joyful school community."
"Because of you, students feel seen, supported, and encouraged to grow into the best version of themselves."
"Her passion for the kids is so clear in everything she does."
Principal Kristin Eng, CICS West Belden
Principal Eng’s leadership is marked by diligence, precision, and an extraordinary focus on building a connected, vibrant community hub.
"Mrs. Eng, you bring diligence, positivity, and an incredible attention to detail to everything you do!"
"I admire the way she balances challenge and encouragement for the West Belden team—her leadership makes our school a place of possibility!”
"The way she brings families and community together, creating a vibrant hub where everyone feels connected, valued, and invested is unmatched."
"Thank you for leading not just with strategy, but with real heart."
The impact of our principals is vast, touching every student, staff member, and family. We encourage everyone in the Distinctive Schools community to continue to give them their flowers throughout October—and beyond! Whether it’s a quick email of gratitude, a note of thanks, or recognizing them in passing in the hallway, your appreciation keeps their passion burning brightly. Thank you, once again, to our phenomenal principals. Your dedication is the engine that drives our joyful, thriving culture and makes "All Means All" a reality every day.