FACULTY & STAFF

Undergrad: Carthage College

Masters: American College of Education

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
Great kids and staff.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
A positive relationship may not lead to academic success but will form strong bonds that will encourage better performance.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Fortitude

Undergrad: UIUC, Mathematics with a minor in Psychology

Masters: Northeastern Illinois University, Applied Math

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
Small school with great faculty. I feel like it's home away from home.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Students are more responsive when you have a relationship.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Persistence

Undergrad: Bachelor of Science - India

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
The CTE Health Science Academy attracted me to join Sullivan High School. It blended with my background and was a prospect to deliver my passion of giving back to the community.
At present, by delivering education at Sullivan High School, my passion is practiced by creating a college and career ready individual. What a perfect fit!

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Nurturing is an important aspect of any relationship. According to me, Student-Teacher relationship is similar to nurturing a plant. Flowers only bloom if the plant is nurtured adequately. Similarly, students only bloom if they are nurtured by the teacher, henceforth the relationship is of utmost important to me!

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Students' Accomplishment

Undergrad: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, BFA

Masters: Columbia College Chicago, MAT Art Education

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I work at Sullivan because I value neighborhood schools and believe that strong art's programing is essential to young people's education. Sullivan has a robust art's program and an administration that values art education. It has also been a dream of mine to create a recording school in a school and I was able to do that at Sullivan. I am excited to put professional film-making and audio equipment in the hands of young people to empower them to share their narratives.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Relationship is the basis for everything in my classroom. I work to provide a space where young people feel safe to experiment and fail and try again. I want my students to be curious and excited about learning. Without relationship building that wouldn't be possible.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Community

Undergrad: Loyola University, History and Spanish

Masters: University of Illinois at Chicago-Anthropology and Museum Studies

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I enjoy teaching and building relationships with our EL population. I am a EL myself so supporting their needs is my life's work.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
A teacher can be more effective in teaching academic subjects while supporting students emotional and learning needs.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Hope

Undergrad: DePaul University

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I choose to work at Sullivan because of the diversity of the student body. Watching students find their creative voice is always something I am grateful to be a part of everyday.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
The Student-Teacher relationship is so important because the most basic human need is to know that someone cares about you. When students know that teachers genuinely care about them and about their education the learning environment becomes a place of self development.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
God's Grace

Undergrad: University of Minnesota

Masters: University of Leeds

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
We achieve so much at Sullivan, which I attribute it to the creativity, devotion, and love which every staff member brings here daily.

Undergrad: Northeastern Illinois

Masters: Olivet Nazareen

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
As a former ELL student of CPS, I appreciated the diversity of the student body. It brought the world to my door without having to travel far. Sullivan is such a place.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
It helps to foster a learning environment of respect and trust.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Kindness

Undergrad: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Psychology, emphasis in Child/Youth Care, Minors in Sociology and Interpersonal Communications

Masters: Loyola University Chicago, MEd in School Counseling

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I interned here and fell in love with the school and student body.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
All of our kids have a story. Getting to know them and their story can help us better understand where they are coming from, how to best support them, and how to prepare them for life after high school.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Advocate

Undergrad: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Masters: Loyola University, MBA; University of Phoenix, MS Special Education

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
The diversity at Sullivan is amazing. I am inspired by the amount of children who attend school here and cannot even speak the language. Some of these children have been through hardships that we cannot imagine, but they are resilient. They come every day in spite of it.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Children can form bonds that make all the difference in the world. One kind word, one person to confide in, one teacher - may be the only reason a child comes to school when everything seems to be going wrong for him/her.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Tenacity

Undergrad: Monmouth College, Music Education

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I student taught in CPS and fell in love with it. Sullivan offered the perfect opportunity for me.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
I believe that it promotes communication and improves performance for the student.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Passion

Undergrad: Loyola University of Chicago, Psychology with minors in Music & Catholic Studies

Masters: Loyola University of Chicago, Social Work MSW

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I did my second level internship at Sullivan with Mr. Torres as my supervisor and I loved it. There is something special about Sullivan. It's a place where the educators are able to identify student strengths, build grit, and engage students on an individual and personal level.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
As the resource coordinator and ESL social worker, I see access to resources as an essential right of any student. After school activities and access to the things you need to be a successful student are essential for students to get the most out of their high school experience.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
They

Undergrad: Ohio University, Middle School Education

Masters: Ohio University, MED in Reading Education

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
My classroom motto has always been to "Find your passion and act on it." I think it's so important for students to have the opportunity to be exposed to many different ideas, perspectives and ideas in order to think about how they fit into the world and how they can continue to change it for the better. At Sullivan my goal is to help students think about their plans for the future and help support them to take action to get there.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Students will not learn from a person they are not connected to. Students need to know that people care about them as an individual and that they are there to support their learning for sure but also their social emotional growth that will help them to be successful now and in the future.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Compassion

Undergrad: Northeastern IL University, Physical Ed & Health Minor; Chicago State University, Drivers Ed

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I wanted to work with a good group of people, because I know great things will happen. I knew some of the staff members, and they had told me how school was at Sullivan, and I liked what they had to say. When the job was posted I immediately applied.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Fostering good relationships is a priority, we have to show our students that we care, once they really see that we really care, learning becomes more fun and engaging for our students.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Passion

Undergrad: DePaul, Mathematics Education

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I chose to be at Sullivan because of the diverse student body and the opportunity to work with students that are interested in improving themselves; I continue to enjoy working here especially because of our great department.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Teachers are able to help students understand how all of the different aspects of high school - academics, extracurricular activities, preparing for college/career - mesh together in preparing them for their future.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Effort

Undergrad: Governors State University, Social Science minor in Criminal Justice

Masters: Roosevelt University Education; Lewis University, Educational Leadership; Governors State University, Political Science with a emphasis on Policy

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I choose to teach at Sullivan because I enjoy the diverse community of learners and I enjoy working with my colleagues in a cultural of social justice.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
The relationship of student-teacher are critical to the learning process for the student as well as the teacher. I feel that with a transparent relationship with the student, we learn together. This in turn increases the value of learning within our community.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Perseverance / Tenacity

Undergrad: University of Illinois - Chicago, Biology and Spanish

Masters: University of Illinois - Chicago, MEd with a Bilingual/ESL Endorsement

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I chose to teach at Sullivan because I feel connected to my students. I am excited to teach biology to students who have recently come to our country. As an immigrant who went to a Chicago Public School, I understand the challenges faced by my students in this diverse urban setting. I am able to relate to the diverse student body, and be an active member within the school so as to be a positive role model for my students.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Student-Teacher relationship is crucial because it opens the lines of positive communication and effective learning. A healthy relationship will benefit my students and I and will promote academic and social success.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Compassion

Undergrad: Northeastern Illinois University, Marketing

Masters: Northeastern Illinois University, Special Ed.; Northeastern Illinois University, Ed. Leadership

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I did my student teaching here and the Principal hired me upon graduation

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
I believe the Student-Teacher relationship is important because both, students and teachers, share in a reciprocal exchange of academic and personal growth.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Motivation!

Undergrad: University of Illinois at Chicago

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I chose to teach at Sullivan because I believe we have a world class staff who are dedicated to providing our world class students with a world class education.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
I believe the student-teacher relationship is important because trust, a good rapport and respect, on both sides, is necessary to develop a positive learning environment for all.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Dedication

Undergrad: University of Chicago, Public Policy

Masters: National Louis University, Special Education

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
Diversity of the student body; good reputation of the administration and teachers, wanted to leave the charter school I was at

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
It is the center of teaching and learning. Without a solid relationship as a foundation, the learning and growth of both the student and the teacher wouldn't be able to happen. It also goes both ways-- the teacher has to have as much respect and understanding of the student as the student has to have of the teacher.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Joy

Undergrad: University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Masters: Yeshiva University & Murray State University

Undergrad: BA Interdisciplinary Studies, Music

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
Sullivan’s sense of family and its connection to its community brought me to Sullivan.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
It is through that relationship that a partnership forms to bring the students to their highest possible potential in the time that they are at our school.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Crèatif

Undergrad: Florida State University, English and Social Work

Masters: National Louis University

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I love that Sullivan is a small school with a diverse student population.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
It's important for the student to feel accepted and supported by teachers. Creating safe and positive relationships encourages students to perform at a higher academic level.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Growth

Undergrad: Chicago State University

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
Great work environment, something new and different for me.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
That's the way you bond with each other so a student can trust you to teach and guide them to the right path.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Perseverance

Undergrad: University of Wisconsin - Madison

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
It chose me.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
To strengthen growth of character.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Power

Undergrad: Loyola University of Chicago, Major: History and Secondary Education, Minor: Psychology

Masters: Northeastern Illinois University, Secondary Education Counseling

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I graduated from Sullivan and have deep loyalty to our students, our school and our community.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
I believe it is the fundamental basis upon which trust and mutual respect is built. I feel that our young adults will respond more favorably towards their teachers, peers, and the school community as a whole if they feel part of the team. Hopefully, and I have seen this happen with many of our kids over the years, this leads them to improve their confidence levels, their professional image, and eventually it helps them to be solution driven and to have a multi-layered plan for success during high school and beyond.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
HOPE!!!

Undergrad: Columbia College - Chicago, Creative Writing & Musical Theater; Northeastern Illinois University, English, Secondary Ed, TESL

Masters: Northeastern Illinois University, Linguistics

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
This school knows their students and is working toward teaching and learning for their students' needs. Their methods are proven to be effective and may be the pilot program for English Language Learners in the CPS network. Education in Chicago has many obstacles--I'm very happy to be a part of a real solution.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
The student-teacher relationship is so important because people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. If students don't first trust the adults leading their education, they won't engage and won't learn. The relationships with our students are the catalyst to their becoming lifelong learners.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Kids

Undergrad: Spring Hill College, English & Fine Arts

Masters: Cleveland State University, MEd. Curriculum & Planning K-12

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I LOVE Sullivan's innovative, approach to the Education.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Student-teacher relationship is the foundation to ALL learning and growth. The social environment in which students and teachers share, enhance academic and social/emotional experiences, builds self-esteem and motivation. Positive Student-Teacher relationships keeps the culture in a constant state of positive growth.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
HOPE

Undergrad: Carthage College, B.A. in Biology and a Minor in French

Masters: Northern Illinois University, M.A. in Anthropology

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
I chose to teach at Sullivan because the school had an unexplainable energy. After getting to know the close-knit community of faculty, students, and staff, I now know that that energy is love. I am so proud to be a part of the Sullivan Family!

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Student-Teacher relationships are the most important layer of teaching. They not only make learning more personal, but also make school fun! I enjoy learning more about my students!

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Love

Undergrad: Saint Xavier University, Social Science and Secondary Education

Masters: Lewis University, Learning Behavior Specialist

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I was drawn to the idea of teaching at such a diverse school. A family friend currently worked at Sullivan and shared so many amazing stories! As soon as I came to visit I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Positive relationships are the most important thing in a school. It helps students feel supported and valued which is the basis of success.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Growth

Undergrad: University of Toronto, History with minor in Economics

Masters: DePaul University, M.Ed. in Secondary Education

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
Sullivan is nicest high school on the North Side.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Without a positive relationship we'd slide into an endless struggle over poor behavior rather than learning.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Respect

Undergrad: Northeastern Illinois

Masters: Olivet Nazareen

Why did you choose to teach at Sullivan?
Diverse student body.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Building strong relationships fosters a collaborative learning environment.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Kindness

Undergrad: National Louis University, Major: Behavior Science, Minor: Sociology

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
My passion is working with students and watching them become productive members of our society. Sullivan High School has given me the opportunity to work at a High School that has the most diverse group of amazing students in CPS. Working at Sullivan has given me a cultural education and insight of our global world.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
Our students come for all over the world so the relationship with student-teachers and staff is very unique since the need our students are different our student/teacher/staff relationships are very transparent since communication is the key to successful assist our students.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Dedication

Undergrad: Miami University, B.S. English Language Arts Education

Masters: University of St. Francis, M.S. Teaching and Learning

Why did you choose to work at Sullivan?
I chose to work and teach at Sullivan because I believe in our mission, I love working with Sullivan's students, and I live in the community and value neighborhood schools.

Why is the Student-Teacher relationship so important?
I think the relationship between students and teachers is incredibly important because you aren't going to learn from somebody you don't care about and respect. In the same way, a teacher is not going to want to teach students that they don't care about and respect.

What is one word that gives you strength as an educator everyday?
Potential