Meet Six Outstanding Assistant Principals from Across the District

It’s Assistant Principal Appreciation Week! Having capable, strong leaders in our schools is extremely important, and each of our APs does a remarkable job of building relationships with students, staff, and families to lead their school community to new levels of excellence.  

They bring invaluable wisdom and expertise to their roles, helping our schools navigate challenges and grow an inclusive culture. We want every student to feel a sense of belonging at school, and our APs are essential in creating supportive learning environments that strengthen the student experience. 

We’re so excited to highlight six of them this week! Their responses are ordered based on the photo above, starting in the top left corner and going left to right across the top row first, and then the bottom row. 

Thank you again to all our APs for everything they do!

Meet Fakhira Huma Bukhari, AP at Taft High School 

What qualities are central to your leadership style?

As an Assistant Principal, my leadership centers on bringing people’s energy together as we navigate the changing seasons of our Chicago school community. My work is grounded in our mission to educate global citizens and our vision to create a better world. I lead by listening to the diverse perspectives of students, staff, and families and by creating a safe, open space for dialogue so every voice is valued, heard, and recognized.

Consensus‑driven decision making guides my practice because our shared priority is student success. When students thrive, our entire community thrives — teachers, families, and the neighborhoods we serve. I believe it truly takes a village to raise a child, and my role is to strengthen that village daily by fostering trust, building relationships, and supporting each student to become an empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable global citizen.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring leader?

Leadership is a journey; the greatest strength you can develop is the ability to adapt and evolve. Remain open-minded, reflective, and willing to learn. When you embrace change with purpose, you better support students, empower teachers, and model growth for your community — all of which advance our mission to educate global citizens and our vision to create a better world.

What is your favorite memory or accomplishment from this school year?

Taft High School’s International Night, held the week after the Super Bowl, stands out as a defining moment. As an IB World School, our mission and vision are lived every day, and this event made that visible. At the end of the performances, student performers gathered on stage, swaying together as they sang Bad Bunny’s “DtMF,” holding signs that read “we belong” in their native languages. The audience lit the auditorium with phone lights and sang along. That moment reminded me of the future our students can build when we work together — a future rooted in unity, empathy, and shared purpose.

What is your idea of a perfect day? 

A perfect day begins and ends with service and gratitude. I would start by greeting clerks, custodians, engineers, lunchroom staff, SECAs, and teachers as they begin their day, then welcome students at the main entrance with a smile and a warm “Good morning,” music setting a positive tone. The attendance team and safety and security team would join me in this morning welcome ritual. I would complete administrative responsibilities one student, one teacher, and one accomplishment at a time, visit classrooms to participate in learning, and call parents to share positive classroom moments.

During passing periods I’d walk the halls greeting students and staff, then invite students in the lunchroom to write thank‑you notes to adults who made a difference. I’d lead professional development with our ELPT and IB Coordinators, diving into both quantitative and qualitative data to celebrate learning cycles. As the day closes, I’d catch up on emails, greet staff as they leave, and stop by after‑school activities — clubs, sports, or special events — because our school’s vibrancy continues long after the final bell.

A perfect day is one filled with connection, purpose, and service in support of educating global citizens and creating a better world.

Meet Cailynn Stewart, AP at Lenart Regional Gifted Center

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring leader?

Always lean into those that have done the work before you. We all accept a leadership role eager and wide-eyed to all the possibilities of what we can bring or change. While it is important to come with a plan, it is even more important to truly understand the school community needs through meaningful conversations. I’ve built such a strong network of leaders across the district that I’ve leaned on time and time again. From clerks and custodians to network and district leaders; they always offer a listening ear, honest feedback, and purposeful guidance on navigating the highs and lows of being a leader. Trust that someone has experienced this before you, listen and learn from them.  

What is your most treasured possession?

All drawings and letters/cards that were gifted to me. Behind my desk, I have a bulletin board that is covered in student pictures, handwritten cards/notes, holiday pictures from families, and any other words of encouragement that was gifted to me.  My office is covered with words from students, families, and colleagues over the years. On hard days, I read a few to remind me of my purpose and to ground myself in the work.

Meet Dr. Jesús Laurel, Assistant Principal at Curie High School

What qualities are central to your leadership style?

Leading with empathy, understanding, and curiosity are qualities that have been central to my leadership style. I believe our work is all about creating conditions for students to feel a strong sense of belonging and connectedness so they can strive academically and socio-emotionally. I also get excited about instruction and am genuinely interested in how students learn in different classes and how teachers work on their craft - understanding this allows me to engage in more nuanced conversations about the daily classroom experiences of students as well as educators.  

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring leader?

Get really good at reflecting on your leadership moves. Be intentional with how you are reflecting on yourself, as well as your leadership actions and inactions. Consider journaling or documenting your thinking as a part of your reflection process. This practice is not only critical to your leadership development, but is also an important one to model for those you coach and mentor. You’ll also be amazed at what you learn about yourself when you are intentionally reflecting on your practice. Also, make sure you are taking care of yourself. This line of work is increasingly challenging year-to-year, and finding ways to sustain yourself and keep yourself energized is important. For me, this has included leaning into my passion projects in music and art in my own personal life. 

What is your idea of a perfect day?

The perfect day in my role would start with a great cup of coffee and conversation with colleagues, followed by greeting students and staff for morning entry. I would then visit classrooms and get to see our students in action engaging in meaningful and joyful learning experiences. In my personal life, my perfect day would also start with a great cup of coffee, time with family and friends, enjoying time in nature, and listening to a few favorite records on vinyl.

Meet Jonathan Burton, Assistant Principal at Murphy Elementary School 

What qualities are central to your leadership style? 

My style of leadership is a mixed bag of being collaborative, empathetic, and a servant towards the vision and mission of our school. I really appreciate working side by side with colleagues, getting to know and understand their story, and providing timely support when and wherever it’s needed. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring leader? 

One piece of advice I’d give to an aspiring leader is to be present and accessible as often as your schedule allows. Greet families at entry and dismissal, walk the hallways, visit the classrooms, and enjoy recess with your students. You can’t lead culture from behind a closed office door. 

What’s the biggest difference between the AP and the principal role? 

The biggest difference between the AP and the principal role is that the principal has to grapple with the school’s budget and make sure that money is being spent towards continuous improvement. Oftentimes that resource stewardship can lead to tough decisions that may personally affect a principal. 

What is your most treasured possession? 

My most treasured possession are my children; they represent a steadfast anchor in my life. They provide me with energy, balance, and clarity when my vision becomes distorted.

Meet Andrea Kulas, Assistant Principal at Peace & Education Coalition Alternative High School 

What qualities are central to your leadership style? 

I am not really a fan of the command and control approach. For me, leadership is rooted in listening and learning together.

What is one piece of advice you’d give an aspiring leader? 

Focus less on the big win and more on the infrastructure supporting it. I often think back to a quote by James Clear (shared with APs at a DPQ session this past Fall): "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." I’ll be the first to admit that I’m still a work in progress, but it’s a truth I return to.

Describe your leadership journey in one sentence. 

My journey has been about moving from a place of managing outcomes to one of listening and building the right systems so young people in Chicago have a space to simply be.

What is your favorite way to relax and recharge? 

To keep my head clear, I have to get out of it for a while. My go to is meditation or spending time on my yoga mat. It’s the one place where I can trade doing for being. It helps me reset the internal noise so I can show up as my best self when I’m off the mat. 

Meet Gavin Lamb, Assistant Principal at Mitchell Elementary School 

What qualities are central to your leadership style?

Integrity, Humility and Great Communication. 

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring leader?

Building trust with all stakeholders is critical, so invest in relationships and create opportunities to build trust with those you lead.   

Describe your leadership journey in one sentence.

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

What is your favorite way to relax and recharge?  

I like hanging out with my wife and kids, exercising, cooking and working on DIY projects at home.