Dear Sullivan High Community,
With great pleasure, I write this letter to you as the incoming principal of Roger C. Sullivan High School. It is an extreme honor to join the Sullivan family and community. Despite only limited interactions with members of the staff and families thus far, the passion and enthusiasm for Sullivan are evident in all that I have encountered.
I come to Sullivan entering my 26th year in education. During that time I have worked in college admission, as an Assistant Principal/Dean with a CPS Contract School, and as a Diverse Learning (Special Education) Teacher. Most recently, I have served as the Assistant Principal with a CPS elementary school where I led the Middle School International Baccalaureate (IB) Team, the Diverse Learning Team, Culture & Climate, and Facilities.
Personally, this December will mark the fifteenth anniversary for me and my wife. We have four beautiful daughters who attend Chicago Public Schools in grades 8th, 4th, and 2nd; we also have a 4-year-old boxer named AJ. I believe that in all phases of life we are and should still be seeking new knowledge. I try to model the behavior that I expect and I treat everyone the way I want to be treated. I don’t expect that we will always agree, but I expect that no matter what our focus is and always on the students that we serve.
In the coming weeks, I plan to spend the majority of my time working with our Network Chief and LSC to ensure that this transition is smooth. I will take time to get to know the needs of our students, teachers, staff, parents, and our community as a whole.
I am truly grateful and honored to be given this opportunity to serve Sullivan and I look forward to building upon the previous achievements while paving a path to ensure that we live out the mission of creating a positive, supportive learning environment that nurtures independence and critical thinking in our students while we guide them towards postsecondary success.
As a reminder, the first day of school for students is Monday, August 22, 2022. I would like to invite you in for an opportunity to meet and ask questions of me the week of September 6. Please be on the lookout for an invitation. Until then, if you have any questions feel free to contact me here at the school at 773.534.2000 or by email [email protected].
I look forward to meeting and engaging with all of you this school year and in the years to come.
Best Regards,
Jeff Cooks
Principal
