CPAA MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2025 ISSUE APPRECIATION
SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE ON TRADES PAGE 28
YOUR MOU QUESTIONS... ANSWERED PAGE 20
CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH PAGE 24
PICTURED : CPAA BARGAINING TEAM — SEE MESSAGE ON INSIDE BACK COVER
UPCOMING SESSIONS
IAACHICAGO.COM
Every school leader must complete an Illinois Administrators’ Academy course once a year to keep his or her license current. The dates that frame the year are July 1 to June 30. IAA Chicago (headquartered at CPAA) is the preeminent place in Chicago where school leaders can complete this important coursework. All our sessions are currently being offered in a live and online format on Zoom.
PRINCIPAL/TEACHER EVALUATOR RETRAINING: STUDENT GROWTH (#3000) * MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | $195.00 Participants will learn how to: • Use assessments and measurement models identified by the Joint Committee in determining student growth attributable to individual principals/teachers and understand how different types of assessments are used for measuring growth. • Use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected, and best practices relative to evaluating student growth to link principal/teacher and school-level professional development plans to evaluation results. In collaboration with principal/teachers, create supportive, targeted professional development plans that consider past results; contribute to professional growth; and assist teachers and principals in aligning professional development and goal-setting to school improvement goals. • Communicate evaluation outcomes and findings in constructive and supportive ways that enable teachers/principals to set goals and improve practice. •
CONNECTING PLANNING, PREPARATION , AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN TEACHER EVALUATION (#1451) * WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | $195.00 Teacher Evaluator Competency Skill Building for Pre-Qualified Teacher Evaluators – Part 2 of 3. Administrators who evaluate teachers must demonstrate a high rate of inter-rater reliability and communicate evaluation outcomes in constructive and supportive ways. This Academy focuses on Domains 1 and 4 of Charlotte Danielson’s 2013 Framework for Teaching with a focus on the pre-conference, recording data according to the Professional Practice rubric, and meaningful, collaborative conversations. Participants will learn: •
* Teacher Evaluator Retraining Courses —completion of two academies is required to meet the retraining requirement—one course that addresses Teacher Practice and the other course addresses Student Growth. These two courses must be completed within the five- year renewal cycle and need not be completed within the same fiscal year.
Unlock Your Potential With the Illinois Administrators’ Academy! Attention Principals and Assistant Principals: Elevate your career with essential professional development and training opportunities through the Illinois Administrators’ Academy. As the primary provider of sessions in Chicago, we offer everything you need to stay current with your licensure requirements and broaden your knowledge base. Don’t miss out on our courses—sign up today! Visit IAAChicago.com for the latest course listings and take the next step in your professional journey.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IN THIS EDITION PAGES 4-5 CPAA VISION AND MISSION OUR VALUES AND WHO WE ARE PAGES 6 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT KIA BANKS PAGE 8 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR TIPHANI CHAPLIN PAGES 10-11 IN THE HALLS: OVERHEARD PRINCIPALS APPRECIATION MONTH
PAGE 31 KIA IS EVERYWHERE PAGE 34-35 HEY CPS... ARE YOU LISTENING? PAGES 36 FINDING STRENGTH IN APPRECIATION DURING CHALLENGING TIMES DR. ALEX DAKESSIAN PAGE 37 RETIREE’S CORNER CPAA QUARTERLY CONTRIBUTOR PAGE 38 CPAA’S POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE PAGE 39 A SPECIAL THANK-YOU TO OUR CPAA BARGAINING TEAM
IN THE HALLS: OVERHEARD PRINCIPALS APPRECIATION MONTH
PAGE 10
FINDING STRENGTH IN APPRECIATION DURING CHALLENGING TIMES
PAGES 12-13 WHEN THE LOAD BECOMES TOO HEAVY TIPHANI CHAPLIN
PAGE 36
PAGES 16-17 STUDENT HABITS, LEADER HACKS CPAA QUARTERLY CONTRIBUTOR
PAGES 14-15 SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCING LIZ MOURTOKOKIS AND DR. CHRIS GRAVES
PAGE 18 APPRECIATION DR. MACQULINE KING PAGES 20-22 YOUR MOU QUESTIONS… ANSWERED PAGE 23 SAFE AND SUPPORTED: NEW PROTECTIONS FOR
MAGAZINE BOARD
Editor-in-Chief: Kia Banks
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCING
Managing Editor/Creative Director: Tiphani Chaplin Copy Editor: Lori Lewis-Chapman Editorial Design: Ann Liu Production Manager: Kent Lau
SCHOOL LEADERS TANESHA O’NEAL
PAGES 24-27 WHAT DOES HISPANIC HERITAGE
MONTH MEAN TO ME? JAVIER ARRIOLA-LÓPEZ
PAGES 28-30 SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE ON TRADES: NOT A FALLBACK… A FUTURE TIPHANI CHAPLIN
Chicago Principals and Administrators Association | Local 2 of the American Federation of School Administrators 542 S. Dearborn St., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60605
PAGE 14
VISION
We envision a future where every school community thrives under the guidance of exceptional leadership . Because we believe that by empowering and investing in school leaders, we invest in the future of our children.
MISSION
By 2027, CPAA will be the indispensable hub for Chicago’s school leaders . We’re committed to unlocking the boundless potential of our students and communities across the city. CPAA is dedicated to fostering exceptional leadership within schools by providing our leaders with the resources and support to nurture the growth and development of every child in our Chicago Public Schools.
OBJECTIVE
• Amplify social justice and community issues • Provide legal guidance and support • Create robust and timely professional development and training courses • Lobby for progressive education legislation • Advocate for increased school resources • Celebrate the invaluable contributions of school leaders • Serve as a model of equity in public school education beyond Chicago classrooms • Achieve continuous improvement
VALUES
CURIOSITY COLLABORATION INCLUSION INTEGRITY
4 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
WHO IS
CPAA STAFF Kia Banks, President kbanks@mycpaa.com Kent Lau, Director of Operations klau@mycpaa.com Mia Maynard, Assistant Director of Operations mmaynard@mycpaa.com Tiphani Chaplin, Director of Communications tchaplin@mycpaa.com Cameron Moore, Communications Manager cmoore@mycpaa.com Deputy General Counsel sodyniec@mycpaa.com Tanesha O’Neal, Director of Member and Legal Supports toneal@mycpaa.com PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: LEGAL DEPARTMENT: Samantha Odyniec, Dr. Sallie Penman, Ed.D, Director Illinois Administrators’ Academy sdpenman@mycpaa.com CPAA?
Left to right: Kent Lau, CPAA; Tonya Tolbert, retired principal; Ahlarie Aziz-Sims, principal; Robert Gomez, principal; Kia Banks, CPAA president; Gerald Morrow, retired principal; Alesia Franklin-Allen, principal; Cameron Moore, CPAA staff
The Chicago Principals and Administrators Association (CPAA) is the official voice of Chicago’s public school principals and assistant principals, standing as the essential hub for school leadership. Our mission is to ensure that every school community benefits from outstanding leadership, and that those leaders have the resources, respect, and support needed for the growth and success of our children. CPAA works to amplify social justice issues, foster inclusive school environments, provide legal support, and deliver professional development tailored to the needs of school leaders. We advocate for progressive education policies and fight for the resources necessary to empower our leaders and schools. As an affiliate of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) and the AFL-CIO, CPAA is deeply committed to collective bargaining and solidarity across labor unions. We stand with all who seek equity in education and believe that by investing in school leaders, we secure the future of our children and communities. At CPAA, our mission reflects our values and guides everything we do—building a better, more just educational landscape for every student, every school, and every neighborhood in Chicago.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 5
Letter from the President KIA BANKS
Appreciation is a practice, not a month. For me it looks like protections on paper, principal voice in the room, and time guarded for teaching and for life. I am a principal at heart. Leaving the role I loved was hard. I stepped into this one to appreciate school leaders in the most useful way—by making the work better. On the first day of school I visited buildings as CPAA president, not as a sitting principal. The doorways felt the same. Excitement. Nerves as schedules got their first test. The hope on young faces. Many of you thanked me for the MOU. I heard the gratitude. I also know this was hard-won and shared work with staff, Board, advisors, and the leaders who stood up for years. This is how we appreciate you: we turn thanks into structure you can count on. We are in the rooms that matter. With CPS leadership, labor partners, and community allies. We will not always agree. That is not the point. The point is principal voice early, before decisions land in your inbox. This is how we appreciate you: we speak from experience and we do it before the ink is dry.
Compliance creep is real. Shifting directives. Duplicate systems. Deadlines that collide with safety and instruction. The MOU gives us tools to push back and we will use them. As we bargain the full CBA, we will press for clear guardrails—notice, streamlined systems, expectations that protect instructional time. This is how we appreciate you: we defend your time. When conflict shows up close to home like in an overreaching LSC action or a complaint, you will not stand alone. We do not pit unions against each other. When another agreement or practice affects our working conditions, we address it at the table. This is how we appreciate you: we stand next to you and keep it professional and firm. Communication matters. Expect regular updates, member conversations, and targeted legal trainings so you know your rights and how to use them. And when your situation is specific, call us. This is how we appreciate you: we answer. Good things are happening. We are not done. The MOU is a beginning, not a finish line. My pledge (and our team’s pledge) is simple: protect your time, elevate your voice, and secure the tools you need to lead well and live well. That is appreciation I can offer, every single day.
Communication matters. Expect regular updates, member conversations, and targeted legal trainings so you know your rights and how to use them.
Kia Banks CPAA President kbanks@mycpaa.com
6 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
NEW BOARD, NEW ENERGY, SAME PURPOSE
We are stronger together.
It’s been three months since our new CPAA leadership team took the helm and the momentum is real. Principals, assistant principals, and retirees stepped up to serve with clarity, transparency, and a focus on solutions. We’re proud to introduce them here. This is just the beginning. There’s a seat for your voice… communications, political action, safety, evaluation, wellness, and more. If you’re ready to join a committee, lead an auxiliary, or get more involved, reach out to Cameron Moore at services@mycpaa.com.
M E M B E R S H I P
KIA BANKS PRESIDENT
RYAN BELVILLE TREASURER
TYRONE DOWDELL SECRETARY
RAUL MAGDALENO VICE PRESIDENT HS PRINCIPALS
DR. SAFURAT GIWA VICE PRESIDENT ELEM PRINCIPALS
TOWANNA BUTLER VICE PRESIDENT HS ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
CY HENDRICKSON VICE PRESIDENT ELEM ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 7 join today. www.mycpaa.com
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
BOTH CAN BE TRUE: LEADING THROUGH COMPLEXITY
TIPHANI CHAPLIN
In this issue, we honor principals not only for what you overcome, but for what you make possible. This is a tough time. And yet, as the start of any new year, it’s also a hopeful one. Yes, both can be true. The headlines are heavy. The inequities are real. But so is the joy. So is the progress. So are the wins that rarely make the news. You’ve come a long way... and still have a long way to go. You hold the challenges and the accomplishments. The hope and the frustration. The vision and the questions. That’s what principalship requires. You protect students when fear is loud. You support your staff when pressure is high. You meet with families in the face of painful realities. You de-escalate in hallways, balance budgets that don’t make sense, and attend community events long after your workday should have ended. You answer the call when it would be easier not to. You hold the line when it’s scary. And somehow... somehow... you still make space for joy. This month, you’ll see student artwork from Blaine Elementary —portraits of their principal and assistant principal as superheroes. Submitted by art teacher Tasha Welling, the drawings reflect how students see their leaders. As protectors. As champions. As the people who show up. Also featured are pieces from Blaine’s Hispanic Heritage series—full of pride, culture, and joy. That joy makes what’s happening across our communities even harder to witness. Right now, immigration enforcement is disrupting families. Students are walking into your schools with fear in their eyes. Some are watching loved ones disappear. Others feel unsure if school is still the safe haven it used to be. And yet, you are doing everything you can to hold them steady—even as your own communities, your own hope, and your own joy are being tested. You work to protect a sense of normal when nothing feels right. To create calm in the middle of chaos. Because in this moment, both must be true. Because even when fear is managed... it doesn’t disappear.
It settles in. And if we aren’t careful, it stays. We’ve seen what happens when fear is left to linger... we’ve seen how it settles into generations. We see it in communities that have long been marginalized. Especially Black communities, where distrust of systems isn’t theoretical... it’s inherited. Where families are still fighting to be seen, to be safe, to have access to the very resources that should already be guaranteed. And now, even the programs meant to repair that harm (the ones that could begin to level the playing field) are being targeted. Rolled back. Erased. For so many, public education has been the only path toward justice. The only place where equity could be real, not just rhetoric. And you (especially in this moment) are the ones doing the work to hold that line. But fear leaves marks. And we are worried. Not just about today. About what this will mean in the long run. For the trust your students carry. For the communities you serve. For the kind of future you’re helping to shape. This is the work. You are fighting for the conditions your students deserve. You are speaking up when the headlines are loud but the humanity is missing. You are holding space. Making it safe again. We are your union. But we are also human. We are heartbroken by what’s unfolding. And we are standing with you and with the families who are looking to you for strength, even as they are being pulled apart. So yes... we absolutely must celebrate you and what you do every day. And our hope is that this magazine reflects that work. An offering of some hope in the face of fear... some truth when misunderstandings are rampant... some beauty in the ugliness of division. Because even now... both can be true.
Tiphani Chaplin Managing Editor, CPAA Quarterly | tchaplin@mycpaa.com
8 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
Let us know what you have been up to! SHARE PICTURES. SHARE THOUGHTS.
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CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 9
PRINCIPALS APPRECIATION MONTH
OVERHEARD
IN THE HALLS:
“The principal team at my school is actually pretty cool. Their rules don’t feel arbitrary… and even though they’re busy, they still make time to be visible and accessible. They show up for sports too. That matters.” —Foster V., Lake View High School student
“Principals aren’t in the background… they’re not just there when you get in trouble or to welcome parents at assemblies. The best ones pop into classes, show an interest in students, and always model patience. I’m grateful my parents support public schools… and that I graduated from two awesome CPS ones.” —Caroline H., CPS graduate and current college student
“I loved both of my principals… Mr. LaRaviere in elementary and Mr. Russell in middle school. They were the kind of leaders you remember. They had high expectations of everyone in the school and wanted us all to have the support we needed. I felt lucky to have them.” —Emma C., Blaine Elementary School graduate
“‘Hero’ sounds a little juvenile… I wouldn’t use that word. But I don’t know a better one. My principal was just as quick with a fist bump as to call us out. Discipline wasn’t something we wanted as kids… but looking back, that’s exactly what we needed.” —Michael O., Waters Elementary School graduate
“Let’s not forget the assistant principals. At Amundsen we have a great AP in Ms. Nguyen… she was one of the first staff I met, and as a senior I really appreciate all the ways she has helped.” —Dina, Amundsen High School student
10 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
“We don’t do the work for the pat on the back. That being said, the praise and positive affirmations do help, so we know the work is on the right track. Good vibes are always appreciated, for that reason! Recently, I taught my first IAA Course PLC session for the year, and got lots of positive feedback on it, including, ‘Today’s session was fire!’ That’s so meaningful because I take deep pride in preparing and executing this work, while also trying to be responsive and adapt for the needs of colleagues. Hearing the positive feedback is so reassuring that it’s making the desired impact and fuels my passion to keep going!” —Dr. Chris Graves, CPS Principal, CPAA VP
“No one deserves appreciation more than our school leaders, the principals and assistant principals of CPS. No other group is more in tune with their communities, more insistent on academic equity, more flexible in meeting staff needs, or more dedicated to the academic success of our young people. Our union shows appreciation through the contract. Our staff shows it through their commitment to outcomes. And I show it by pledging to always show up, to push for fair representation, to protect this profession, and to honor the people carrying it forward.”
—Kia Banks, CPAA President
“Long days, a hundred directions, yet they still put students first and staff too. That’s what I saw as a retired CPS teacher. The strongest principals don’t just run a building; they shape the environment inside it. They keep staff motivated; those are the people in front of students every day. They understand school as a community and make sure every person making it possible is accepted and elevated. Collaboration is one of the ways principals show appreciation and I love any opportunity to give them back the appreciation that they so freely model. They deserve it not because it’s nice but because it’s honest.” —Dorothy F., retired CPS teacher “I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible demands placed on principals. Their days are long and filled with countless responsibilities—supporting the needs of everyone in their building; showing up for sports, arts, and club events; and working tirelessly to recognize and respond to each student’s unique needs. The best school leaders do far more than manage a school… they shape how children feel about their school, their relationship with learning, and their sense of community. For many kids, school is their first true community outside of family… a place where they feel safe, learn to challenge themselves, and discover how to advocate for themselves and others. —Catherine F., CPS parent and former LSC member
Principal Appreciation Artwork from Blaine Elementary.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 11
WHEN THE LOAD BECOMES TOO HEAVY WHY PRINCIPALS NEED WELLNESS, TOO
BY TIPHANI CHAPLIN
Leading a school is hard. The budget gaps, the shifting policies, navigating CPS politics, crisis after crisis... it’s relentless. Sometimes it feels like the byproduct of a well- run school is an overrun leader. But that should not, and need not, be the case. No principal or assistant principal should be so scheduled that there’s no life outside of the school walls. Saying, “the school is my life” isn’t a flex… in fact, it can be a detriment. Studies consistently show that prolonged stress is strongly linked to serious health challenges. A 2025 study in Archives of Public Health found that principals’ heavy workloads, role conflicts, and lack of organizational support were linked with burnout, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk. And in one Education Week survey, more than 80 percent of secondary principals in high- poverty districts reported frequent job-related stress, and this is especially true for women and leaders of color. For anyone who has sat in this chair, those numbers don’t surprise… they sting. And that sting leaves a mark in every hallway. The University of Chicago reports that about half of elementary principals and more than two-thirds of high school principals leave the position within five years. Even CPS confirms that nearly 60 percent of principals exit the district in that same time frame. Think about that… more than half of our leaders don’t make it past five years. That isn’t weakness… it’s weight. And it points to a larger problem. A problem we cannot ignore if we expect our schools, our students, and our communities to thrive. National studies echo the same warning. The Learning Policy Institute found that principals in high-poverty, urban schools have some of the shortest tenures in the country, averaging just four years in the same building. Illinois data shows resignations are climbing, with burnout and overload cited again and again. And it is not just a Chicago
story… but here, where resources are scarce and stakes are high, the pressure is amplified. The job of a principal is often called never-ending, and in Chicago that is no exaggeration. Most principals arrive before anyone else and are still working long after the building empties out. Their days stretch from before- school activities and morning meetings… to after- school programs, parent events, and late-night games or performances. In between, they juggle the endless paperwork pushed down from central offices, urgent crises that can’t be scheduled, and the steady stream of staff absences that must be covered. They’re parsing academic data, balancing shifting resources, interpreting ever-changing policies… all while still carving out time to observe teaching and learning. Now, with an MOU in place and a collective bargaining agreement soon to follow, there is hope for a more defined workload. But even with new guardrails, we have to admit something hard: much of this pace comes from us. We overwork not only because of the demands, but also because of the joy of the job… the need to prove we can do it… and the deep desire to make a difference. That drive is admirable, but without boundaries it becomes
unsustainable. So when does a
principal have time to plan? To dream a little about what’s next for their school? To answer the flood of emails and requests that never stop coming? To simply be? Enjoying principalship may sound like an indulgence, but it
12 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
At the CPAA Leadership Retreat this past July, health and wellness weren’t side notes, they were central to everything we did. Four separate sessions were devoted entirely to healing from trauma, building resilience, and rediscovering strength through connection. And yes, trauma is real. It is not just a buzzword tossed around in education circles. School leaders carry it with them every day, and we cannot expect them to lead others well if we do not create space for them to heal themselves. This work isn’t about lip service. It is about modeling what we preach. CPAA has made wellness and healing part of our identity as a union. It was a priority under Troy LaRaviere’s leadership, and it continues as a priority for our new president, Kia Banks. Both leaders have made it clear: wellness is not optional. It is an essential part of how we build sustainable leadership and thriving school communities. Leading a school has never been simple, but in today’s Chicago landscape it feels especially relentless. Budgets shift, policies change, and principals are often asked to carry the weight of crises far beyond their control. Strong schools require strong leaders who have space for wellness, balance, and life outside the building. When our relationship with work is out of balance, it shows up everywhere… in our bodies, in our emotions, and in our relationships. The good news is that it is never too late to take back control of your wellness and to appreciate your role while remembering it is not the whole of who you are. No matter the job… you are not your job. No matter the work… you are not simply what you produce. No matter the position, you are not here only to meet everyone else’s needs. Yes, there will always be something demanding your time. That will never change. But sometimes, the most important thing you can do is give yourself permission to stop, to focus inward, and to simply be.
The job of a principal is often called never-ending, and in Chicago that is no exaggeration. isn’t. It is essential. Leaders deserve to find moments of joy and presence in the work… not just the grind. Because if principalship isn’t a life worth living, then something is deeply out of balance. All jobs need boundaries. All humans need balance. This isn’t just a nice idea... it is essential. It is what makes the work sustainable, and even enjoyable. And enjoyable work is the work you want to continue. Educators know this better than anyone. We remind parents all the time that overscheduling a student isn’t helpful. We meet with counselors about anxious kids who need room to breathe. We insist that students need time to daydream, to laugh, to indulge in activities that are simply fun. Play isn’t a bonus... it is a critical part of learning and development. If that is true for students, it is true for principals too. So ask yourself: if you don’t have time for your own child, are you winning? If your only downtime is sleep, are you happy? If your entire circle is colleagues and community peers, are you balanced? Because without balance, there is no wellness. And when “on call” becomes around the clock, boundaries blur and health begins to break down. Wellness experts are clear about what helps. Their advice is simple: • Set firm boundary hours. Turn off notifications, leave the building when you can, schedule non-work time as a non-negotiable part of your calendar. • Find small rituals that restore… a walk in a Chicago park, a few minutes with music you love, or simple breathwork before the first bell. • Build your support circle. CPAA peers, other principals, trusted colleagues... people who understand when you vent, celebrate, or when you simply need to say “I need help.” • Speak up for structural support. Ask for resources, push back on unrealistic demands, request coaching or professional development aimed at managing workload.
As you lead others, remember: you matter. Your health matters. Your rest matters. In this October of appreciation, take the praise. But more than that, give yourself permission to protect your boundaries, reclaim your evenings, and nurture your own well-being. Because no school’s success should come at the cost of its leader’s health.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 13
SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOURCING ...WHAT WE ASKED, WHAT WE LEARNED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PRINCIPAL LIZ MOURTOKOKIS AND PRINCIPAL DR. CHRIS GRAVES
Of all topics to discuss, staffing for special education has been a hot one for years, coupled with a need for valuable training for students with disabilities. With the department undergoing changes, and now committing to being at the table to discuss improvements with our union, there’s a chance that we will see some positive changes. This will take time, and the updates we heard at the meeting plus issues we addressed leave me feeling positive. Of course, there will always be more work to do as well, which will be a work in progress. Early in September CPAA hosted CPS’s Office of Students with Disabilities for a working session on allocations and appeals. The goal was simple… cover IEP minutes as written, reduce friction for schools, and fix the processes that keep getting in the way.
WHAT OSD SAID Summer vs. fall reality: projections often miss, so OSD relies on a 5th-day adjustment and approves few summer appeals. Formulas under review • SECA denominator: CPS uses 1,950 minutes; CPAA maintains 1,800 to reflect lunches/breaks. OSD is inspecting this. • SPED teacher denominator: CPS uses 1,500; members argue 1,450 better reflects real availability (minus lunch, prep, 75 non- instructional). • Vacancies: acknowledged for SPED teachers and SECAs; OSD is open to CPAA help recruiting/certifying. Appeals cadence: a calendar run so some shifts are auto-caught without constant filings. Commitment restated: positions to cover all IEP minutes as written. System fixes: past SSM/Dashboard calc issues acknowledged… OSD says resolved.
The session was collaborative… even when we didn’t agree. While improvements move forward, students can’t wait. CPAA urged OSD to prioritize staffing, adjust the formulas, and deliver training that helps now. CPAA plans to host an additional session in the coming weeks.
14 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
APPEALS… THE WORKFLOW WE SHOULD SEE • Pre-appeal… SEC + leader co-analyze schedules and staffing to see what can be covered now. • Appeal submission… ServiceNow with clean schedules + short rationale tied to minutes. • Analysis… three-level review… target ~3 weeks or less. • Post-appeal… SEC + leader confirm coverage; Chief looped so resources match the plan. Policy-grounded program needs (e.g., dual language) will be respected. Optional program choices may require discretionary funds or adjusting within allocation.
WHAT CPAA PRESSED • Staffing capacity to speed appeals and day-to-day support. • Practical PD… behavior supports, data tracking + interventions, IEP writing/implementation (teachers + SECAs), early identification that can reduce unnecessary minutes. • Proactive planning… HS schedules start as early as October; leaders need earlier, reliable staffing signals. • Uniform SEC support across portfolios… equity requires alignment and time in schools.
WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS MONTH • Book a pre-appeal with your SEC; co-read schedules vs. minutes. • File in ServiceNow with tight schedules AND rationale. • Track enrollments/service changes and flag patterns early. • Send recurring issues to CPAA so we can escalate trends.
Uniform SEC support is equity in practice… we want to see the same help for every school. —PRINCIPAL LIZ MOURTOKOKIS, NORTHSIDE LEARNING CENTER HS
Interested in participating in (or even hosting) a webinar with OSD in your school community? Email services@mycpaa.com and stay tuned to the updates for details.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • • 15
STUDENT HABITS, LEADER HACKS EDUCATORS LEARN WELLNESS FROM STUDENTS, TOO
Every day, principals guide students through laughter, angst, drama, and everything in between. But if you look closely, students are modeling wellness strategies of their own—ones school leaders could benefit from too. The giggles in kindergarten remind us to laugh more. The reinvention of middle schoolers shows us the power of starting fresh. And the rituals of high school students prove that even small routines can calm the system.
MIDDLE SCHOOL METHODS Middle school is full of angst and eye-rolls, but even that chaos comes with wellness tips if you look closely: • FEEL IT, NAME IT: Middle schoolers wear their emotions on their sleeves. Naming feelings reduces stress for adults too. • REINVENTION RIGHTS: One week it’s theater, the next week sports. Leaders can borrow that flexibility: if something’s not working, switch it up. • CLIQUE CONNECTION: Students find “their people” to feel secure. Principals need trusted circles too; colleagues and CPAA peers who get it. • DRAMA = ENERGY: Teens thrive on drama because it gives them a rush. Adults can redirect that with novels, podcasts, or guilty-pleasure shows. Middle school teaches us that change, connection, and even a little drama can be healthy when channeled well.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WISDOM Spend five minutes in a kindergarten classroom and you’ll see kids practicing wellness without even knowing it. Their habits may look messy, but they’re packed with lessons for grown-ups too: • GIGGLE THERAPY: Kindergartners laugh hundreds of times a day. Adults? Maybe 20. Borrow their secret and laugh more often. • RECESS RESET: Movement every couple hours boosts mood and focus. Principals need recess too. • SECRET KEEPER: Kids spill their secrets, then skip away unfazed. Share a worry with a colleague, then let it go. • SNACK TIME SCIENCE: Small, frequent snacks keep energy steady. A desk snack drawer is principal-level wellness. Sometimes the youngest learners are the best teachers—especially when it comes to joy, movement, and letting things go.
16 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
LET IT OUT
How often do we have something that’s really getting under our skin… and we don’t want to let it out? We bottle it up. We pretend it doesn’t exist. We hold it in until it starts to eat away at our mood, our confidence, or worse. Research shows that venting (when it’s done productively) can actually lower blood pressure and improve emotional regulation. Even writing frustrations down and tossing them in the trash has been shown to help people feel lighter. Of course, “productive” is the key word here. No need to start a fight in the lunchroom. And while studies say that swearing can sometimes have a stress- reducing effect, so can silence. What matters is finding a release that works for you.
HIGH SCHOOL HACKS By high school, students have perfected shortcuts for survival. Principals can learn from those too: • HALLWAY HEADPHONES: Music releases dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical. Build your own playlist for mood boosts. • BATHROOM RITUALS: Makeup checks may seem silly, but rituals calm the nervous system. Find your adult version… and yes, a fresh cup of coffee counts. • SLEEP STRUGGLES: Students stay up too late and it shows. Principals? Same. Better sleep hygiene = better leadership fuel. • DRAMA OUTLET: Gossip is teen currency, but adults can get the same “release” from a TV show or podcast. High school shows us that rituals, relationships, and even guilty pleasures can be healthy parts of a leader’s toolkit.
THE TAKEAWAY So as we celebrate Principal and Assistant Principal Appreciation Month, take a cue from the very students you lead. Borrow their smiles, their reinventions, their rituals... and remember that wellness isn’t just for kids. It’s for the leaders who make schools thrive.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 17
A Message From Dr. Macquline King, CPS Interim Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer APPRECIATION
Principals and assistant principals, this month we celebrate you and the fierce leadership you bring to our schools every day. I am from this community, and I am one of you. I began my career leading a school on the south side and later served on the north side, experiences that gave me a firsthand understanding of the diverse strengths and challenges across our city. My leadership has also extended beyond schools, through senior roles in the Mayor’s Office, and now as Interim Superintendent/CEO, where I continue to bring a citywide perspective to shaping the future of our district. My journey has given me a deep understanding of both the challenges and the profound rewards of leading a school. That perspective guided me through the difficult decisions surrounding the recent budget vote, where my foremost priority was to protect and strengthen our schools and maintain the budgets submitted in the spring. It is the same perspective that will continue to shape my approach, reminding me that our shared commitment must always center on the learning, growth, and future of our students. My journey as a Cahn Fellow, National Board Certified teacher, master teacher, and coach further grounds me in the reality of your daily work and fuels my deep respect for the excellence and resilience you bring every day. I know that principals and assistant principals carry a wide range of responsibilities that include balancing instruction, operations, and community engagement. Staff and families rely on your expertise and leadership, and trust you to create a culture of
collaboration, care, and excellence in your buildings. I know that it is your ability to inspire teachers, support students, and build strong partnerships with families that anchors our schools and drives success across the district and success of the young people we serve. I have been a witness to how fiercely principals and assistant principals support one another. Whether it is a new leader with different approaches or an experienced colleague offering steady guidance, our principals embody a spirit of camaraderie that strengthens schools and the entire district. This collective dedication sets a powerful example for aspiring leaders across and beyond Chicago and continues to provide personal inspiration. That same fierce support I once relied on as a principal, I now commit to giving back in this role—not only in words, but in action, through resources, advocacy, and collaboration, just as you do every day for your students. I remain committed to lifting up principal voices, honoring your expertise, and ensuring you have what you need to thrive. Principals and assistant principals are not only the backbone of our schools, they are system leaders whose influence extends far beyond their buildings, shaping the future of our students and our city. Fierce leadership deserves fierce support, and I will continue to stand with you in that work, not just this month, but every day, for the years to come.
18 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
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CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 19
YOUR MOU Questions… Answered
As your CPAA union family, the most concrete way we show appreciation isn’t with balloons … it’s with protections, respect, and voice. This memorandum of understanding (MOU) is appreciation in action: due process, safety protocols, increased pay, and a voice in the rooms where decisions are made. It’s the floor, not the ceiling. We will keep pushing toward the full collective bargaining agreement (CBA) so school leaders have what they deserve.
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Q: WHY ARE WE STILL CALLING IT AN MOU AND NOT A FULL CBA? A: Because it’s a binding interim agreement that locks in real gains now while both sides finish the longer, comprehensive collective bargaining agreement. Q: WHAT PROTECTIONS DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE NOW THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE BEFORE? A: Highlights include due process in investigations, an ability to appeal high-level discipline, a just-cause standard, a grievance procedure for discrimination or MOU violations, stronger safety protocols, limited injury leave after an assault or battery, time for union meetings and representation, and collaboration on leadership development. Q: WHAT ABOUT OUR SALARIES? WHAT’S ALREADY LOCKED IN? A: A retroactive cost-of-living increase for 2024-25 and another increase for 2025-26, plus adjustments for resident principal salaries in 2025-26. Q: WHEN SHOULD WE EXPECT THE FULL CBA? A: This interim MOU is already in effect and will remain in place through June 30, 2026. Bargaining will resume later this fall, with the goal to have a comprehensive CBA go into effect in 2026. Q: ARE WE A UNION OR AN ASSOCIATION? A: Both. We are the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association: an association composed of members who are employees of CPS with an administrators license, and also a union, AFSA Local 2, the exclusive bargaining representative of principals, assistant principals, acting principals, interim principals, and resident principals within CPS. Q: IF WE CANNOT STRIKE, WHAT IS “MANDATORY INTEREST ARBITRATION” AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? A: If bargaining reaches an impasse, disputes can go to a neutral arbitrator whose decision is binding. It’s the legal backstop designed for school leaders because striking is not an option. Q: DID THE BOARD APPROVE THIS AND DID MEMBERS RATIFY IT? A: Yes. Members overwhelmingly ratified it in August, and the Chicago Board of Education approved the interim MOU on August 28, 2025.
Q: WHY DO SOME OUTLETS CALL THIS A “FIRST CONTRACT” IF IT’S AN MOU? A: Because this MOU is a binding and enforceable contract that was approved by the Board … it is the first contractual framework for CPS school leaders, with a more comprehensive CBA to follow. Q: WHAT DOES ANY OF THIS HAVE TO DO WITH DAY-TO-DAY FRUSTRATIONS? A: Fair process, safety protections, and a real voice improve stability. When leaders are protected and respected, schools are more likely to retain them, and that’s good for students, staff, and communities. Q: DOES THE MOU DO ANYTHING ABOUT “COMPLIANCE” GIVEN ALL THE CONSTANT HOOPS AND LAST-MINUTE ASKS? A: The interim MOU gives us tools to push back productively … most importantly, it creates formal CPAA-CPS touchpoints where patterns can be raised as labor-management issues, not just “one more request.” Bigger guardrails on compliance load are a priority for the full CBA … lead time for new directives, clearer purpose for data pulls, and fewer duplicate systems. In the meantime, send recurring compliance burdens to CPAA so we can document and escalate trends … that paper trail matters. Q: DOES ANY OF THIS PUT US AT ODDS WITH OTHER UNIONS? I DON’T WANT A “UNION VS. UNION” DYNAMIC. A: We agree. CPAA works in solidarity with labor partners. Our commitment is simple … if another agreement or practice changes our working conditions, we address the impact at the table with CPS. Not about conflict … but about clarity, safety, and respect for everyone’s role.
REMEMBER: Members can log in to the member-only site to read the full MOU and the plain-language FAQ. Keep an eye out for targeted trainings where our Legal Team will walk through specific articles. Have questions? Contact us… and keep using the Legal Hotline for situation-specific guidance.
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • 21
TROY LARAVIERE, FORMER CPAA PRESIDENT
LEADER REACTION TO MOU
“This milestone is the result of years of organizing, persistence, and a refusal to accept less than our school leaders deserve. Our members stood together, and CPS had no choice but to formally acknowledge the vital role principals play in the success of our schools. But this MOU is not the finish line. It is another step toward the respect and dignity school leaders deserve, And proof that we don’t fight to fight… we fight to ensure that school leaders have the tools, protections, and authority they need to give every child in Chicago the best possible chance to succeed. That work continues.”
TYRONE DOWDELL, PRINCIPAL AND CPAA BARGAINING TEAM MEMBER “Being at the table meant our daily realities shaped the conversation. For the first time, I felt like the decisions being made came from a real understanding of what it takes to run a school: the good, the hard, and everything in between. Principals are the backbone of our schools, and this agreement finally recognizes that. By listening to principals through the CPAA union, CPS is taking a step toward making sure policies and procedures match the realities we live every day, and that ultimately gives students the best chance to succeed.” PRINCIPAL RAUL MAGDALENO “For the first time in CPS history, school leaders have enforceable protections. This agreement gives school leaders the protections they deserve, and a real voice so they can lead boldly and continue to put students first without fear. Our union has worked tirelessly to ensure administrators can lead schools without fear of retaliation, with fair procedures, and with the security needed to create the best possible conditions for our school communities.”
PRESIDENT SEAN B. HARDEN “Thank you to our principals. We are eternally grateful for the essential role you play every day, leading and shaping our schools, our communities, and most importantly the lives of our more than 300,000 students,” said CPS Board President Sean B. Harden. “They stand as true pillars of society whose hard work, dedication, and sacrifice is what has kept our district moving forward. On behalf of the Board of Education for the City of Chicago, I am honored to join CPAA in recognizing these exceptional leaders. Happy Principal Appreciation Month!”
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SAFE AND SUPPORTED: NEW PROTECTIONS FOR SCHOOL LEADERS
A conversation with Tanesha O’Neal, Legal
Legal ABCs
A new agreement between CPS and CPAA strengthens safety protocols for principals and assistant principals. • Emergencies: If there’s an immediate threat or active crime, school leaders may call the police in good faith without fear of retaliation. They should then notify the CPS Student Safety Center and their Network Chief. • Non-Emergencies: For situations like harassment or threats, administrators should first contact the Student Safety Center before notifying Network leadership. • Reporting: All safety incidents must be logged in Aspen within 48 hours, and Network leadership must follow up within 48 hours after emergency reports are submitted. • Reintegration Plans: If a school leader is personally harmed by a school-based incident, they don’t have to deliver reintegration plans or access notices to families—a supervisor will handle it unless the leader chooses otherwise. • Safety Plans: Leaders who face credible work- related threats can request a written safety plan developed with their supervisor within three (3) school days, unless additional time is needed. This agreement underscores a simple but powerful message: CPS administrators have the right to act quickly in emergencies and will be supported with clear procedures and safeguards to help keep schools safe. If you have questions about these protocols or any of your rights under the MOU, do not hesitate to reach out to the Legal Hotline.
• ASSERT your Weingarten Rights… by saying, “I am happy to participate in this meeting, but if it could in any way lead to discipline, then I request union representation be present for it.” • BUILD union power by engaging with your peers and CPAA about your working conditions - CPS cannot retaliate against you for doing so! • CALL the Legal Hotline… if you have questions about a grievance, investigation, or your working conditions. • DOCUMENT everything in Aspen, ideally within 24-48 hours. You can add more information later on as you learn more, but create Aspen ICT reports ASAP.
LEGAL HOTLINE 312-263-7773 CPAA’s Legal Hotline hours are
9 AM to 6 PM, M-F. If you call outside of those hours, please leave a detailed voicemail message and you will receive a call on the next business day. In the case of an emergency, we will do our best to get back to you right away. We look forward to continuing to service you!
CPAA IS VOICE AND POWER REALIZED • • 23
WHAT DOES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH MEAN TO ME?
By Javier Arriola-López, Principal, Rachel Carson Elementary
Jacob G., 6 th grade
I feel an immense sense of pride and connection as a Mexican-American, celebrating the richness of my origins, the power of my Spanish and English languages, and the depth of my culture during Hispanic Heritage Month. However, my profound pride extends to the tapestry of contributions that all of Latin America has woven into the fabric of the United States. The impact of the broader Hispanic community is truly limitless and transformative. We haven’t just added to the American experience—we’ve mainstreamed it, bringing with us our vibrant traditions, distinctive food, powerful identity, and a shared vision for a better future. Our Hispanic spirit is defined by entrepreneurship and an unrelenting pursuit of opportunity. We are a community built on the conviction that through hard work and focused determination, financial independence and educational advancement are achievable realities. This drive, rooted in the values of countless Latin American nations, serves as an economic engine for the U.S. The flavors, sounds, and celebrations of Latin America are now indispensable to the American cultural landscape: • Culinary Revolution: Latin American gastronomy has become essential. Think of the ubiquity of tortillas, guacamole, and carne asada from Mexico
and Central America; the delicious complexity of pupusas from El Salvador; the versatile arepas of Venezuela and Colombia; or the savory plantain genius of jibaritos from Puerto Rico. These aren’t just foreign foods; they are American staples. • Rhythmic Transformation: Latin American music has popularized and cemented its influence across the nation’s airwaves. Genres like regional mexicano (including mariachi and banda) and the pulsating rhythms of salsa, merengue, reggaeton, cumbia, and bachata have enriched American music, creating vibrant, cross-cultural soundscapes that get everyone dancing. • Celebratory Mainstreaming: Celebrations like the magnificent quinceañera have become widely recognized cultural touchstones, marking the transition to adulthood with grace and splendor, demonstrating the beauty of our traditions. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at our school, Rachel Carson, feels like a full-circle moment. As one of CPS’s premier dual language schools, we are a living testament to the power of bilingualism, biliteracy, and multiculturalism. The recent arrival of new students, many of whom are Central American refugees, has profoundly enriched and diversified our school’s population. We proudly
24 • CPAA MAGAZINE | OCT 2025
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