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2024 Principal Appreciation Campaign
For nine years, we have proudly led Chicago’s citywide Principal Appreciation Campaign, a collaborative effort with Chicago Public Schools, the City of Chicago, and valued partners like the Field Museum, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Bulls, William Blair & Company, and BMO. This campaign celebrates the exceptional work of Chicago’s school leaders and their positive impact on students, teachers, and communities.
2024 Principal Storytelling Evening
This year’s Principal Appreciation theme, “Celebrating the Enduring Impact of School Leaders,” highlights the lasting influence principals make on students, teachers, and their communities over the course of their careers. At our Principal Storytelling Evening, you will hear inspiring leadership stories from four principals who have positively impacted their school communities. This is a fantastic opportunity to witness the value school leaders provide our entire city. You can watch a recap video from last year’s event for a preview of the evening ahead.
Meet Our Principal Storytellers
Principal Shannae Jackson
Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
Principal Jackson is in her 20th year as an educator. She is in her 9th year as principal and 13th year overall at Brooks College Prep. Principal Jackson believes in distributive leadership and teamwork to ensure that each student learns at high levels and receives an education that adapts to their learning progress, interests, and goals.
Principal Iliana Rzodkiewicz
Disney II Magnet School
A proud Latina and Chicago Public Schools graduate, Principal Rzodkiewicz leads with kindness, love, and cultural competence, always striving to create inclusive and supportive environments for all students at Disney II Magnet. As a parent of CPS students and a school leader, Principal Rzodkiewicz deeply values the school-community partnership. Her commitment to education is rooted in a passion for empowering the next generation to succeed.
Principal Marian Strok
Evergreen Academy Middle School
Principal Marian Strok has been an educator for 40 plus years, beginning as a teacher in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Moving to CPS, she has been a teacher, Assistant Principal, and is currently in her 18thg year as Principal of Evergreen Academy Middle School on Chicago’s Southside. During her tenure, this neighborhood school has received the designation as a School to Watch by the National Forum for the Acceleration of Middle Grades Reform through 2026 and was recently designated a CPS STEAM Demonstration School.
Principal Bill Yeh
William C. Goudy Technology Academy
With 22 years in Chicago Public Schools and 17 years serving the children of Goudy School, Principal Yeh is passionate about fostering a supportive and enriching educational environment. At Goudy, he has had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse student body, celebrating the unique cultures that make the community special. His commitment to embracing this diversity and empowering all students to reach their full potential has been the cornerstone of his career.
CTA Campaign
This month, keep an eye out for the faces of nine CPS principals showcased on CTA buses and trains as part of Principal Appreciation Month. The ads will be visible on the Red and Blue Lines and on the back of buses throughout the city of Chicago.
Social Media Contest
Between now and October 31, engage your entire school community in our social media contest to win exciting prizes! Show how you and your students are celebrating Principal Appreciation Month by posting on LinkedIn or X (Twitter) with #PrincipalPrideChi. Prizes include a staff lunch, a custom office rug, and a relaxing spa day!
Be creative! Videos, photos, or artwork all count – involving students earns bonus points!
Need some inspiration? Check out our Principal Appreciation Social Media Toolkit (Espanol), which features ready-to-use graphics, hashtags, and pre-written messages to help your school community acknowledge and honor your principal’s role and impact.
No social media? Email us a photo to enter! For more info, contact E.J. Dubinsky at edubinsky@thefundchicago.org.
Donate to Celebrate Principals Today!
We welcome all donation levels year-round. Please use the donation form below to support our work in celebrating school leaders. Organizations interested in Principal Appreciation Campaign sponsorship can contact us at development@thefundchicago.org.