EdD in Urban Education Leadership Program Newsletter | January/February Edition

In the summer of 2023, Dr. Joanne Tanner (UIC Cohort 18), was named the Chief Executive Officer of Civitas Schools, a school management organization in Chicago charged with oversight and academic outcomes for three schools. Over the course of one year, guided by a thoughtful and strategic entry plan, Dr. Tanner led her network through charter renewal, improved academic outcomes, balanced a post-ESSER budget, ensured proper operational functions and grew enrollment at all schools. By the end of her first year, she had also successfully transitioned the company to become a non-for-profit organization with an independent board of directors, poised for continued success, growth and new beginnings as the newly rebranded Meridian Charter Schools. 

Dr. Tanner shown with her team at their beginning of the year kickoff.

As a veteran educator of twenty years, Dr. Tanner believes accelerated school improvement is a result of collective efficacy, program coherence and a deep organizational commitment to improved instructional practice centered on creating school environments where students belong. Dr. Tanner is a humanistic, results-driven leader who knows “we only have one shot” when it comes to getting it right for our students.

“The entry planning process for my role as CEO began months before I got the job. Extensive research and conversations with key stakeholders helped me learn about the organization and better understand what types of questions I needed to ask. My coursework in the EdD program gave me the research background to feel confident in my planning decisions while my Superintendent Coursework provided practical application of ideas on a broader scale. Heavily influenced by the work of Dr. Muhammad Khalifa, Culturally Responsive School Leadership, Dr. Jennifer Perry Cheatham’s Entry Planning for Equity and The Internal Coherence Framework by Michelle L. Forman et.al., my studies and mentors prepared me to lead with humility, grounded in research-based best practice and with a sense of urgency.

Thinking deeply about how I would strategically and empathetically make sense of a new community allowed me to be more present and thoughtful once I had the job as well as course-correct along the way. In July of 2023, I introduced myself to my new staff of over 200 employees, serving nearly 1800 students, with an entry plan I was not only proud of, but an entry plan that clearly communicated what I stood for as a leader, what I valued and how I would work with others to support the organization toward our collective goals.

As I began to build a team of highly educated and experienced leaders, my entry plan served as a roadmap for our collective vision and encouraged others to draft their own entry-plans for the year. Throughout the year and in partnership with school leaders and educators we continually assessed opportunities, tracked progress on goals and monitored key elements of the entry plan. There is no doubt that having a robust entry plan in my first year as CEO led to the positive outcomes we saw on a variety of metrics.

As with any leadership journey, our successes would not have been possible without the hardworking and reflective staff at Meridian Charter Schools (shown below) who, since my first day, have trusted me with their thoughts and feedback and who have never wavered in their determination to see their schools improve. Together, anything is possible.” 

If you’d like to learn more about Meridian Charter Schools or schedule a meeting with Dr. Tanner, you can contact her at jtanner@meridiancharterschools.org. View our Meridan Quarterly Newsletter here and/or sign up for our newsletters here. 

Dr. Tanner (under the basketball net) with her entire Meridian Staff. 

Dr. Tanner is a former middle and high school teacher, veteran principal and district leader. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master's degree from the University of Illinois in Educational Leadership and is a Teach for America 2005 alum. Dr. Tanner recently earned her Superintendent Endorsement through UIC in 2023 and completed her doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership in 2024 where her capstone explored women in leadership and the impact of internal coherence on professional learning and scaling systems for improved student outcomes.

The Culturally Responsive School Leadership Institute Legacy Academy is coming to Chicago. This academy is based on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Muhammad Khalifa's groundbreaking work on CRSL. This Academy catalyzes school leaders at all levels into a new paradigm of leadership. 

 School leaders can expect the following:

Develop Culturally Responsive Leadership Expertise Historicize Educational Inequity  
Center Minoritized Students, Families, and Communities
Access Powerful Tools and Resources

To learn more, click the button below

We are now accepting applications for the newly revamped superintendent program. If you are interested in learning whether the new UIC Superintendent program is the right match for you, we encourage you to fill out an interest form. At the end of the interest form, you will see a prompt to submit your resume to Superintendent Program Coordinator, Dr. Cynthia Barron (ckbarron@uic.edu). Shortly after your submission, she will contact you to set up a phone call to learn more about your background. For any questions about the program, do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Barron.  

Dr. Sarah H. Roche (UIC Cohort 17) has been appointed Principal at West Park STEAM Academy. She looks forward to putting her experience and knowledge to work around transformational social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts within STEAM and project-based learning. West Park uses STEAM to create a learning environment that is engaging, intentional and dynamic for all students. They utilize the 4C’s to provide students with a core set of skills that are integral to cultivating engaged learners: collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.  Drawing on her extensive expertise, Dr. Roche is committed to expanding academic opportunities for the students at West Park. Her dedication to fostering strong learning communities and partnerships aims to empower students with a voice and a true sense of belonging. Having served as a bilingual special education teacher for many years, Dr. Roche builds the capacity of her teams in ways that support equitable practices and differentiated instruction to address the diverse needs of all learners. She has taught in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and at Oakton School in Evanston, District 65. Roche was previously the assistant principal of Oscar Mayer Magnet School. The title of her capstone is “Leading Change Thru Social Emotional Strategies to Move Instruction Toward Culturally Responsive Practices.” 

Dr. Jessica Chen (UIC Cohort 16) transitioned into the role of Acting Principal at Rudolph Elementary Learning Center. Dr. Chen recently served six and half years as Assistant Principal of Deneen Elementary School. During her tenure at Deneen, Dr. Chen built a strong teacher learning organization which resulted in significant improvements in teacher practices and student achievement. Prior to coming to CPS, Dr. Chen was school administrator at SPEED Special Education Cooperative in Chicago Heights. Rudolph is a unique school within CPS. Rudolph specializes in special education providing each student with quality, age and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for grades Prek-8th grade. Rudolph also has a 4 year-old full day PreK for All program that is open to all students. Their specialized curriculum and/or programs are individually adapted to meet the needs of every child as determined by family, clinicians, teachers and medical professionals. Service related to hearing, vision, and mobility are provided through CPS as determined by the IEP’s of the children.  The school’s integrative model requires all staff to go into the classrooms and work collaboratively. She is excited to bring her experience as school leader and experience in special education to her role at Rudolph Elementary Learning Center. She looks forward to learning from and partnering with the school, students, family, and community. The title of Dr. Chen’s capstone is “Developing Continuous Improvement Capacity in an Urban Elementary School” 

Dr. Josephine Gomez (Cohort 3) has been selected as Dean of Community Education and Strategic Engagement, Milwaukee Area Technical College. Dr. Gomez will oversee the instructional unit of community education and the day-to-day operations of the Education Center. Dr. Gomez brings over 34 years of experience in both instructional and administrative roles within urban schools. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to building team capacity, enhancing organizational systems, and fostering a positive school and work culture. Dr. Gomez has worked extensively across K-12 schools in Chicago and Milwaukee, forming valuable connections with faculty, staff, students, and families. Her roles have encompassed instructional, operational, fiscal, and administrative responsibilities, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on school leadership. In Chicago, Dr. Gomez was director/principal of UNO’s Garcia High School in Archer Heights and eventually Chief of Staff for the former UNO Charter School Network. Currently, Dr. Gomez serves as the director of High School Relations, Transfers and Articulation, and International Education at MATC. This past spring and summer, she also served as interim executive director for the West Allis Campus, collaborating with colleagues across departments and regional campuses.  

Dr. Paul Karafiol (UIC Cohort 12) is pleased to start his tenth year and third contract at Lake View High School. His capstone, "From Stagnation to Germination", showcased how he led organizational shifts that turned ordinary meetings into sites of professional development by establishing routines around formative assessment and reflection on instruction based on cycles of inquiry. This third contract is particularly meaningful because the upward growth Lake View High School experienced in 2016-2019 was cut short by the pandemic. In leading Lake View HS through remote learning and the return to in-person schooling, Karafiol had to put aside many of their instructional initiatives to prioritize healing and helping staff re-teach social, emotional, and academic "school skills" to our students. In 2024, they experienced their highest AP pass rates and highest college enrollment rate ever, while making significant gains compared to 2021 and 2022 in social-emotional outcomes (reduced high-level misconducts, for example). In the next four years, his goal is to solidify these gains and build on them by creating distributed systems and structures that don't rely on the presence of a single leader to support students. Prior to his long tenure as principal, Karafiol was Coordinator for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment at Walter Payton College Prep. 

Dr. Kristin Blathras (Cohort 14) is honored to have been offered a second contract as principal of Hamilton Fine and Performing Arts School. This renewal reflects the thoughtful collaboration and trust of the entire school community. Over the past few years, Dr. Blathras has worked with her team to align curriculum, develop collaborative relationships, and elevate Hamilton’s identity as a vibrant fine and performing arts-focused school. Leading Hamilton for the next four years offers an exciting opportunity to build on this progress with a focus on equitable opportunities, excellence, and the success of every student. Her leadership is rooted in the principles explored in her capstone, “Cultivating Shared Leadership to Foster School Improvement.” Prior to the principalship, Blathras was assistant principal at Hearst Fine Arts Magnet School.  Preceding her administrative career, Blathras was a Lead Literacy Teacher and Reading First Coach at Morrill Elementary School. She was one of eight Literacy Coaches hired in CPS to support the federally funded, Reading Excellent Act Grant, in 2002 which aimed to support the lowest performing schools situated in neighborhoods of high poverty. 

Dr. Daniel Kramer (UIC Cohort 7) received his third contract at Theodore Roosevelt High School in January 2025. He has been the Principal of Roosevelt High School since 2017. During his tenure, Dan has led the school to becoming one of three Dual Language High Schools in CPS, supporting the unique strengths and needs of students in the highly diverse Albany Park community. In addition to a rigorous college path and a Scholar’s program, Roosevelt offers courses in Culinary Arts, Health Sciences, Program and Game Development, Fine and Performing Arts, and JROTC. Achievements in the past eight years include raising the school’s rating in both CPS and Illinois State School report cards. The mission of the school states that, “A Roosevelt graduate is a fulfilled, challenged, supported, and college/career-ready young adult who will experience post-secondary success from the solid foundation provided during their years at Roosevelt High School.” During the challenging years of COVID, Dan worked to secure a major capital investment campaign with the City of Chicago to open a brand new outdoor sports facility for students to return to after the pandemic. The title of his capstone was “The Challenges of Cultivating a Culture of Teacher Collaboration at Scale.” 

Dr. Homero Peñuelas (UIC Cohort 17) has made significant strides as the principal of Curie High School since 2021. His capstone, “Learning to be a Leader of Color During Crisis as a First-Year Principal,” reflects his commitment to navigating challenges with resilience and equity. Under his leadership, Curie has achieved its best metrics in post-secondary achievement, Advanced Placement scores, and earned recognition as the Best School in the World for Supporting Student Healthy Lives in 2023. Guided by his vision for the school—Curie will LEAD the district in providing rigorous educational experiences and exemplary supports for all marginalized students and their communities to drive multigenerational change—Dr. Peñuelas has fostered a transformative impact. In January 2025, the Local School Council unanimously extended his tenure as principal for four more years, a testament to his unwavering dedication and leadership. Prior to the principalship, Dr. Peñuelas was an assistant principal at Curie. Two of the current assistant principals at Curie are UIC EdD Program graduates – Dr. Jesus Antonio Laurel (Cohort 16) and Dr. Katie Shanovich (Cohort 18). As an assistant principal, Dr. Peñuelas participated in a one-on-one interview with the Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund).  He shared his thoughts about educational leadership stating that, “My focus is on equity and how we approach leadership. Education is the true equalizer, and we must make sure our students are able to tap into that. Education is one of the chances to life-changing outcomes for the communities we serve; I’m always trying to increase those opportunities. 

Dr. Patricia (Patti) Rodriguez Stuber (Cohort 16, CLC Cohort 7) has received a renewed contract as principal of Northside College Prep High School for four more years. As principal, she has led instructional and intervention initiatives to promote inclusive and supportive learning environments that foster rigorous student growth outcomes.  In addition, she has built leadership capacity and re-structured team feedback patterns to increase coherence towards school improvement efforts, increased staff buy-in towards those initiatives and created collaborative inquiry cycles.  Her future goals include expanding the school’s equity team membership beyond faculty and staff by including students and parents to increase student voice and parent engagement. Moreover, the equity team will create systems and structures to support more inclusivity and belonging in the school community and create brave spaces for collaborative and difficult conversations. Dr. Stuber is an alum of UIC and the Chicago Leadership Collaborative and completed her principal residency at Northside College Prep. Prior to this role, Ms. Stuber was an English classroom teacher, teacher leader, instructional leadership team lead, and curriculum coordinator at Steinmetz College Prep.  Ms. Stuber also served as Assistant Principal at Kenwood Academy High School and Academic Center. Her capstone is titled, “Building Leadership Capacity of Team Leads to Increase Coherence and Lead Improvement Cycles.” 

Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico (UIC Cohort 16) recognized as Illinois Principal Association's High School Principal of the Year for the West Cook Region.  After a fifteen-year teaching career, primarily at Curie Metropolitan High School, Dr. Brode-Rico’s experience in educational administration began in 2018 with a principal residency at Infinity Math, Science and Technology High School in the Little Village-Lawndale neighborhood through CPS’ Chicago Leadership Collaborative (CLC).  There she worked with grade-level and ILT teams and began a reading initiative. Following her internship, she became the Assistant Principal of Athletics, Activities & Parent Engagement at Proviso West High School in Hillside under Dr. Nia Abduallah (UIC Cohort 8) where she led raising the Freshman-on-Track rate to an all-time high and supervised the English and Social Studies departments.  In 2020, Brode-Rico transitioned to principal of Lake Park High School in Roselle serving two campuses: East (9th and 10th grades) and West (11th and 12th grades). She led the school through the pandemic and reopening continually attentive to equity work which was the focus of her capstone titled “Leading for Equity in a Single School District in a Predominantly White, Middle-Class Suburb.”  Following her tenure at Lake Park HS, Brode-Rico became principal of Elmwood Park High School. There she worked tirelessly with the Building Leadership Team to strengthen the school’s safety and security protocols and creating a positive culture and climate for both staff and students that led to highs on many 5Essentials data categories, in particular, “Teacher-Principal Trust.”  The Illinois Principals Association recognition signifies the culmination of all the hard work that Amanda and her teams have done. 

Dr. Nicole Luke (UIC Cohort 17), assistant principal at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and school staff and students honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 20th. Lindblom Math and Science Academy partnered with ChiGivesBack on an MLK Day of Service beautification project to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Service was paramount for Dr. King and underlined by his quote, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what you are doing for others.” Over 200 volunteers attended the MLK Day of Service to help repaint and refresh various areas of the school. Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton also attended the MLK Day of Service and participated in the beautification efforts and met with volunteers. Lindblom Math & Science Academy High School is a public four-year selective enrollment high school and middle school located in the West Englewood neighborhood. Its stated mission is, “Lindblom is an inclusive, challenging, and supportive community that empowers students to become compassionate leaders who understand, engage and impact the world.”  

UIC has various external funding opportunities available for graduate students. Be sure to check out UIC funding support distributed by the Fellowships and Awards Coordinator. Below are the most recent resources shared:

Graduate Funding Opportunities List

If you are not already, you should also sign-up for the email updates from the “Funding Opportunities” office to get the information sent directly to you.

Email Distribution Sign-up contact: 

Benn Williams (bwilli7@uic.edu)

The Aspire Fellowship, offered in partnership between UIC’s EdD program in Urban Education Leadership and Teach For America, is a 10-month program that prepares teachers of color to enter principal certification programs within the next two years. This Fellowship is free to participants, and Fellows receive ongoing support after completing the Fellowship, including scholarship and career coaching opportunities. Prospective applicants and those looking to support teachers of color in their school or network are encouraged to join a virtual Info Session on February 5th from 5-6 pm to learn more. Candidates can apply via the CPS Common Program Application before March 10th.

The UIC EdD Urban Education Leadership Program is designed to build the mindset of being a transformational leader in the field. We are looking for candidates interested in leading in the urban school setting. Our information session will provide insight into the program goals, components, structure and how UIC supports great leaders.  Participants will have the opportunity to engage with faculty and staff who will speak to the uniqueness of the program. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2025.

If you have items to be considered for the next edition of UIC EdD Leaders on the Move, please forward them to ckbarron@uic.edu