Meet the Team

Heather's 20+ years in education have focused on creating inclusive, democratic spaces that promote academic, social, and political impact for and with youth. She is a National Board Certified teacher, holds an M.A. in Educational Leadership, and an IL Type 75/General Administrative License.

Isil holds a Bachelor’s from Carleton College in International Relations. She spent most of her career in customer and client service, and events industry. Passionate about delivering tools, processes and technology that enable seamless workflow, Isil aims to achieve operational excellence for the DSVE team and its district-wide stakeholders.

Lilly brings over five years of national district-based systems improvement leadership around teaching and learning, equity and leadership, over 10 years of school-based leadership around literacy and coaching, and a recent practice in organizing for ethnic studies and facilitating healing spaces.

Sabrina Chen

Margie has a BA in Secondary Education with specifications in English and Social Science and a MA in School Leadership. She has 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, school administrator, and now with the district. Margie's legacy will be that she has supported hundreds of teachers and thousands of students to feel fulfilled in their learning experiences and ready to take on the world!

Dustin (or Dusty) believes our schools and communities are powerful, become more powerful, and use that power for what they decide is good. He developed this belief during his 13 years as a classroom educator, 11 of those years at Fenger High School teaching Civics and Finance. He seeks to live this belief out in his work supporting Chicago’s students, teachers, and communities.

Priscilla

Sam has a BS in Environmental Policy and Behavior from the University of Michigan and a MS in Elementary Education from Northwestern University. As Program Manager for the CIMBY Program, she loves exploring every kind of environment in and around Chicago, and working with students and teachers to better understand how we can collectively make them better!

Manager, Civic Engagement and Leadership

Job Number: 230000JG

Mildred has a BA in Social Work and Minor in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Sacramento and a MA in Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago. She is a 2020 Surge Institute Alum, where she further defined her identity as a bold Latinx leader. Mildred is passionate about creating spaces for youth where they are supported in finding the power of their existence.

Inclusive Partnerships Specialist

Job Number: 230000AH