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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