Throughout the year, the Chicago Teacher Residency distributes CTR Values Awards to current Residents that embody three values: Student-Centered, Community-Focused, and Tenacious Service. CTR staff celebrated the following award recipients in September and October during Residents’ Professional Development meetings. Congratulations to these well-deserving award recipients!
Max Carroll (Community-Focused)
“Max always makes a priority to thank the many communities for their service outside of the school grounds. Whether it’s a librarian, janitor, or a CTA conductor, he pays his respects. He goes beyond than just a normal ‘good morning’ with all his students as he makes sure to follow up with a check-in and more in his conversations with his students, but also his colleagues and staff at National Teachers Academy other AUSL residents. Max has also been very helpful everyday in helping his fellow AUSL peers in class work by providing support for them around the clock as much as he can.”
Chris Gliege (Tenacious Service)
“Since this summer, I have seen Chris adapt to change and persist through obstacles. Despite the obstacles, he has remained focused, determined, and brings a joyful spirit to the spaces he’s in. He is flexible and ready to learn from multiple experiences. Chris has shown a tenacity and dedication to the program, with the goal of becoming an excellent teacher.”
Cari Hipes (Student-Centered)
“Cari displays the student-centered and tenacious service values every single day. Her calm and positive demeanor is always present in her interactions with students, even recently when one of our most challenging students was aggressive towards her, she remained calm, yet firm. She is the embodiment of a warm demander. Cari is highly emotionally intelligent and approaches all situations with a growth-based mindset, even when it can be difficult. Cari will continue to be an incredible teacher!”
Syreeta House (Community-Focused)
“Syreeta has created a safe space for other Residents with her ability to relate and truly understand the individual she is speaking to. She is always attentive, intentional, and genuine in all of her interactions. While possessing a very laid-back demeanor, she is never afraid to sit-up and stand strong, delivering insightful wisdom on important issues that not everyone may be comfortable addressing. She remains open to the opinions and insights of others, while showing a true appreciation for their contributions. All the while remaining charming, loving, and sharing her community-focused heart.”
Marquise Linnear (Community-Focused)
“Marquise is community-focused and led an engaging community builder the first week of school that got 8th graders up and actually speaking to one another! It was culturally relevant with great music selections and prompts. It was facilitated in a way that was authentic to himself and the students he serves! He also is helpful to other Residents and has a community approach to this residency so far! Give it up for Marquise!”
Mary Lopez (Community-Focused)
“Mary leads from a place of humility and with a growth mindset. She’s extremely open to and receptive to feedback because she is always keeping students at the center of everything she does. She is always thinking of what students need and isn’t above trying a new approach, including translating and giving directions in Spanish. She shows a genuine care for students and all members of the Piccolo and CTR community and a hunger to continue to grow into an effective teacher.”
Mia Luvunga (Student-Centered)
“Mia embodies the true spirit of teaching. She is unwavering in her commitment to enriching beautiful young minds. Her commitment to being a role model, a sturdy guide post, and beacon of hope for all her students is truly undeniable. It is my privilege to witness her deftly negotiate the push and pull of our daily classroom routine. It is stocked full of laughter and tears, spills and tantrums, quotes and questions, wonders, curiosity, and silliness. She is as graceful as she is intelligent. She is as passionate as she is tactful. She is as witty as she is deadly serious. Ms. Lou is not messing around. But it is true that her guile is only surpassed by her greatest strength, her patience. It is rooted in deep vulnerability. It is her vulnerability that leads us. It is that which makes space for every student to share, to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow. The kids of Funston Elementary are lucky to have her. And I’m so grateful to have her as my co-resident and teammate.”
Chiquorie Schaffer (Community-Focused)
“Chiquorie leads from a place of authenticity and community. She loves her community hard and it’s evident in her passion, expression, and advocacy for herself and others. Chiquorie leans into growth opportunities, persists through challenges, and seeks clarity when needed, propelling her growth.”
Lovietta Simpkins (Community-Focused)
“Lovietta has been a great help. She is always willing to answer questions and share her knowledge. Lovietta is kind, she is creative, and she is responsible and she does not complain. Lovietta is a team player and she is efficient. Lovietta’s school community and students are lucky to have her and her talents!”
Kharisma Thomas (Student-Centered)
“Kharisma has been living out the student-centered value at Earle. I have had the pleasure of seeing Kharisma engaging in restorative practices with students in the classroom and continuing to hold them to high expectations while also holding space for their emotions. Kharisma has been growing in her ability to reflect on her own emotional awareness so that she can be a strong educator for her students. Great job, Kharisma, for continuing to hold your students at the center of your work!”
Congratulations to these ten Residents for living out CTR values in their work ethic, classrooms and school communities!
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