school might not work for another. We need someone who sees beyond the immediate, who understands complexity, and leads with that in mind. Harden hadn’t asked for questions in advance or set any parameters. He just showed up ready to engage in whatever conversation might help school leaders feel seen, heard, understood. We settled in, my laptop open, my list of carefully crafted questions pulled up. I promised to make good use of his time. He just smiled and said, “Let’s dig in.” So we did. A few questions in, I realized: I needed to put the questions away. This wasn’t an interview. It was a conversation. It wasn’t about me chasing answers. It was about being present enough to hear the ones that hadn’t even been asked yet. I closed the laptop and opened my eyes. Funny how hard that can be (especially for a planner like me): to stop managing the moment and just live inside it. With Harden, presence felt like a kind of power. Not forceful. Not performative. Just solid. Rooted. Like the most important thing wasn’t to push ahead, but to fully show up. To show up trusting that something meaningful would emerge. There’s a lot most of us think we know about Sean Harden: his South Side roots, his rise through the ranks, his service under four mayors, but sitting across from him, it’s clear: none of that captures why he’s in this role today. He didn’t inherit this seat. He wasn’t an insider. And despite the rumors, he didn’t land here through political favor or private connection. “It’s an extension of my civic connection to the city,” he told me. “I love this city.” Simple as that. Of course, you can’t talk about CPS without the Mayor’s name surfacing. But Harden doesn’t wade into personalities, he wades into purpose. “A successful, vibrant city is the byproduct of supporting the CEO of the city,” he said. “I’ll support whoever occupies the fifth floor. Not because of the person, but because of the seat. My commitment to civic engagement isn’t about the individual; it’s about the responsibility that comes with that office.” That’s been the throughline of his career: showing up
for the city, not the headlines. This grace no doubt extends to outgoing CEO Pedro Martinez, politicians local and beyond, and the ever-shifting flow of people in CPS positions at varying levels and times,
My commitment to civic engagement isn’t about the individual; it’s about the responsibility that comes with that office.
with varying degrees of impact and success. He warned that we sometimes get too wrapped up in personalities, media spin, or even our own feelings about what should have been that we risk losing sight of what is. And for him, that’s not acceptable. Harden is acutely aware of the changes sweeping through CPS, especially the hard-won fight for a fully elected school board. Right now, it’s still in its early stages as a hybrid board, but he sees the potential to shape the future “This idea behind an elected school board is that it should reflect what’s best for the community,” he says. “Now, we have the chance to prove that. My hope is that no matter how we got here—appointed or elected—we’ll stay committed to doing what’s best for the students.” Every board meeting, every school visit, every community engagement is an opportunity to demonstrate that. Harden is all in, agreeing to meet with principals and school leaders once a week; to hear stories good, bad, and otherwise; and come up with a plan based on evidence and optimism. “We’re learning how to operate as a large board, and we’re setting the foundation for future boards. There will be frameworks and best practices for them to follow. We’re laying down the groundwork for what works and not just theoretical ideas.” It’s a lot. One might ask where he finds the energy… and patience… for this sometimes thankless work. “Every day I come to this feeling good about the work,” he tells me, leaning in with the kind of calm intensity that tells you he means every word. “It’s incredibly important, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to help it land in a good place. I know where my heart is on this. My commitment is serious.” He doesn’t see the role in isolation either. “I see the same in my board members. That’s encouraging. They’re
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 35
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