Spring 26 TLC Teacher Leadership Newsletter

ITC Video Series

Beethoven and Gale Elementary

Check out our new Instructional Team Coach (ITC) video series that explores the transformative impact of the ITC role. Watch part one to hear from Principal Mauricia Estes (Beethoven) and Principal Francisco Leal (Gale) as they discuss why this role is a “game-changer” for their school communities.

Access the full video series on the Teachers Lead Chicago YouTube Playlist.

Teacher Appreciation Week

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, the TLC team released a daily lineup of LinkedIn posts to honor and amplify the voices of teacher leaders. Be sure to comment your favorite teacher leadership experiences to showcase the heart of our profession.

Follow Lead with CPS on LinkedIn for timely information on leadership opportunities, program highlights, TLC stories, and more.

TLC Teacher Leader Highlights

This season, we spotlight teacher mentors who offer vital support to new educators as they navigate the rewarding yet challenging early years of their profession.

About the Roles

Mentors provide 1:1 support and serve as reflection partners for budding professional practice. Resident Mentors are paired with teacher residents, while School-Based New Teacher Mentors are matched to new-to-district teachers at their school.

Sarah Kelly

School-Based New Teacher Mentor
Rickover Naval Academy High School

At 22 years old and new to Chicago, my first case manager at Chicago Military Academy took the time to guide me through my first IEP. Her support made the process feel less intimidating and more impactful. Twenty-some years later, I helped my mentee navigate her first IEP in a full-circle moment. I want to continue to pay this mentorship forward, ensuring no teacher faces classroom challenges alone. I started my career as a school-based mentor five years ago and have been a participant in the district mentor program for the past four years.

Recently, I partnered with a mentee who felt defeated by a cramped end-of-year schedule. To avoid “survival mode,” she nearly defaulted to a repetitive, “safe” unit. Together, we pivoted, co-creating a high-interest, differentiated unit tailored to her students' specific needs. This breakthrough restored her confidence and eliminated the typical end-of-year slump. Students remained deeply engaged, proving that when teachers feel supported enough to take risks, students win. By creating this "safe space" for growth, we move past anxiety into high-quality instruction, strengthening the stability of our entire school community. Ultimately, a supported teacher is a teacher who will commit to the profession.

Shahar Sztainer

Resident Mentor
Gunsaulus Elementary Scholastic Academy

Teaching is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences, but without the proper support, the challenges can outweigh the rewards. As a mentor, I love being able to support new teachers through these challenges and watching them—and their students—experience those rewards.

As someone who came into education through alternative models, my mentors were essential to my success because I was learning on the fly. I have been involved in mentoring with CPS since 2020, and I love the residency model because of the balanced support it provides. Unlike my initial teaching experience, the residency model allows new teachers to grow in an intentional manner; for me, that growth is rooted in reflection.

Reflection is one of the most important skills new teachers can learn, and it is at the core of my mentoring practice. When we practice reflection as teachers, we are bringing a growth mindset to life and modeling it in the same way we want our students to. My proudest moments as a mentor are hearing my mentee reflect deeply on their teaching and then seeing those changes come to life the next day.

When we practice reflection as teachers, we are bringing a growth mindset to life and modeling it in the same way we want our students to.

Shahar Sztainer

To learn more about the Resident Mentor and New Teacher Mentor roles and supports, visit the opportunity page.

Recognition Opportunities

ISBE Awards

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) presents Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year awards annually to celebrate exemplary educators who go above and beyond to make positive impacts in their school communities.

• Those Who Excel Awards: Awardees are recognized at one of the following levels: Award of Excellence, Award of Meritorious Service, and the Award of Special Recognition.
• Teacher of the Year Cohort: Applicants may opt in to be considered for the Teacher of the Year cohort, made up of top-scoring applicants from 1) every region of the state, and 2) specialized categories (i.e., bilingual, special education, early childhood education, and early career).
• Teacher of the Year: One (1) finalist is awarded Teacher of the Year and receives a year-long sabbatical funded by the state.

Nominate an outstanding educator using this form (open year-round)! The anticipated nomination deadline for the 2027 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year awards is Fall 2026. To learn more about program application and eligibility requirements, visit the ISBE website or contact awards@isbe.net.

Professional Opportunities

Internal

CPS partners with accredited institutions to provide opportunities to earn college credit, graduate-level degrees, certifications, and endorsements at a significant discount.

• American College of Education offers a 10% discount on a variety of degrees and endorsements. To learn more, visit cps.edu/keeplearning or contact Erin Ferruzzi at erin.ferruzzi@ace.edu.  
• Western Governors University offers a 5% discount on all degree and endorsement programs. To learn more, call 1-866-225-5948 or visit their website to view a comprehensive list of degrees and endorsements. You can also visit their scholarship website for opportunities such as the K-12 Partner Scholarship and the new WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship.

For more information about continuing education opportunities, visit cps.edu/keeplearning on the employee intranet.

Lead with CPS

Lead with CPS posts various leadership and professional learning opportunities for teachers, school leaders, network, and central office staff throughout the year. Stay in the loop by regularly searching for opportunities that support your growth and development.

External

The following organizations offer additional teacher leadership development opportunities.

• Chicago Teachers Union Nurturing Teacher Leadership Program
  Nurturing Teacher Leadership is a free two-year professional development program that prepares current CPS teachers, counselors, and librarians for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. This is the highest credential a teacher or counselor can earn. Rules and eligibility requirements apply. To learn more, visit their website or contact Lynn Cherkasky-Davis, lynncherkasky-davis@ctuf.org.
• Teach Plus - The Illinois Affinity Group Network
  The Illinois Affinity Group Network by Teach Plus cultivates authentic, inclusive, and intersectional spaces shaped by and for educators who identify as People of Color. The application is open until May 22, 2026. To learn more, visit their website. Teach Plus is a national non-profit that recruits, selects, trains, and supports teacher leaders.
• Teachers Supporting Teachers
  Teachers Supporting Teachers (TST) is a local non-profit that develops teacher leaders who drive school-wide change, backed by 1:1 coaching, a peer cohort, and compensation. To learn more, you can read about their roles, complete the TST Interest/Nomination form, or visit their website.

Teacher Discounts

Check out these year-round Teacher Appreciation deals and discounts from Tamiko Nettles, CEO of Let Go-Be Great, LLC. Tamiko is a former elementary school educator, coach, and district staff member who is and remains an educator champion. Enjoy these discounts that were curated specifically for you.

Self-Care

In her podcast The role of “self care” for educators, Elena Aguilar explores a broadened concept of self-care that extends beyond spa treatments. She defines self-care as things we do to feel and become the best version of ourselves—whether that’s nurturing your personal growth, spending time with friends, or finding a quiet space to read a good book. True rejuvenation is deeply personal and varies for all of us.

With that spirit in mind, the TLC team is excited to share our favorite self-care rituals with the community we support. We hope these personal recommendations inspire you as you begin your well-deserved summer of restoration.

TLC Team Favorites

Alex’s Summer Reads

• The Time in Between by María Dueñas – A perfect historical page-turner for the beach.
• Letters to a Young Teacher by Jonathan Kozol – For those looking for a bit of professional inspiration.

Natasha’s Line Dances

• Señorita Baby Line Dance – One of my favorite beginner line dances from a local instructor and choreographer.  
• K is for Kicks Line Dance – Another fun beginner line dance to check out.  

Toni’s DIY Tips

• Weekend Project – Paint an accent wall. Paint is one of the quickest ways to refresh your space.
• Upcycle a t-shirt into a bag. All you need is a t-shirt and a pair of scissors.

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Have a great summer!