The Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) hosted a graduation celebration at DePaul University on Tuesday May 28th for the Chicago Teacher Residency Class of 2024. AUSL supporters and staff and DePaul University College of Education professors attended the celebration to address and congratulate the 22nd class of the CTR program. Our 73 Residents will join the community of 1,371 CTR alumni!
Kate Rhodes Peterson, Director of the Chicago Teacher Residency, started the program with a welcome message to graduates, highlighting the important role of community throughout this year-long experience. Dr. Jennifer Mueller, Dean of DePaul’s College of Education, spoke to the academic achievement of Residents as they graduate with their Master’s of Education following the CTR program.
Residents celebrated with one another over brunch and reflected on the past year with the CTR Year in Review slideshow that captured their full experience from the very beginning of the program.
Resident cohort representatives then spoke sharing their reflections on their cohort’s journey through the residency. Thank you to the following cohort speakers for their thoughtful messages and representing their subject areas!
Mara Ayala, Visual Arts Cohort
“Art makes students wonder, discover and reflect about themselves and everything that surrounds them. We are facilitating cool art spaces that empower students’ voices.”
Juli Guillen, General Education Cohort
“I know that Chicago Public Schools definitely hit the jackpot with all these future educators in the room. I can see why the CTR selected you all to be present here today.”
Steveon Merrill Hegwood, Diverse Learners Cohort
“Special congratulations to my fellow Residents of 2024 who have worked hard, endured challenges, and have persevered to be able to teach the next generation to ultimately change the world.”
Trent Markland, Middle and Secondary Grades Cohort
“We are 100 times more capable than we were at the start of this year, and this time next year that will still be true. We continue to get better for our students, because that is what they deserve.”
Joe Puckett, Diverse Learners Cohort
“Our journey may have come to an end, but our greatest adventures lie ahead. Our journey doesn’t end with our successes, it extends to the lives we touch and the futures we shape as educators.”
Following cohort messages, Residents viewed a video with congratulatory messages from their CTR community including the CTR Recruitment Team, CTR Associate Director Team and Mentors.
AUSL’s Executive Director, Dr. Feinstein, provided closing remarks for Residents and emphasized their continuous learning ahead as full-time educators. “The journey is just beginning,” he said. “You can’t be any more ready.”
Thank you to all of AUSL’s dedicated supporters that made this year of training, mentorship and growth possible. View the full photo gallery from the Class of 2024’s graduation celebration here.
Congratulations to the CTR Class of 2024!
140 AUSL TRG 052824
