Network Leadership

Julie is a 25-year veteran of CPS who began her career as a middle school teacher at Richard J. Daley Elementary Academy. She was the assistant principal of Henry Clay and John W. Garvy Elementary School prior to her appointment as principal at Garvy. Prior to becoming chief, she served as deputy chief of the network. Julie has hosted resident principals, served as a mentor to her fellow leaders, and participated in the Chicago Principals Fellowship program.

Julie received both her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in educational leadership and supervision from Loyola University Chicago.

Jennifer has served Chicago’s students as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in both elementary and high schools. Under her leadership at McCutcheon and Edison Park Elementary, schools earned a Level 1+ school quality rating. She also served as the deputy chief of Network 8.

Jennifer earned a master’s degree in counseling and an administration endorsement, and is currently completing her doctoral studies in educational leadership at DePaul University.

Dr. Travlos served as principal of Washington D. Smyser Elementary School for 19 years. During that time, he focused on creating professional learning communities, building teacher capacity, data-driven instruction, collaboration, differentiation, parental involvement, arts programming, social-emotional learning, and equity.

In 2015, Dr. Travlos was selected as a principal fellow and participated in a rigorous professional development program at Northwestern University's Center for Nonprofit Management at the Kellogg School. In 2016, he was named an Independent School Principal. He proudly has served as a mentor to many residents and new-to-role principals. In 2019, he was named a lead assessor with the Department of Principal Quality. He received a Principal Achievement Award twice and credits this honor to the work of his leadership team, faculty, staff, students, and school community.

In 2022, Dr. Travlos became Network 4's Deputy Chief of Schools. He works hard to support school leaders, foster professional collaboration, and improve student outcomes.

Dr. Travlos holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from DePaul University. He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Loyola University and is a graduate of Kilmer Elementary and Lane Tech College Prep High School.

Shontae began her education career as a special education teacher and then served in assistant principal and principal roles, most recently at Edward A. Bouchet Math and Science Academy Elementary School. She shepherded the community at Bouchet through the process of becoming an IB World School and helped the school achieve and maintain a Level 1 school quality rating.

Shontae holds a master’s degree in special education from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in general administration from Concordia University.

Dr. Netterstrom is a graduate of the UIC Urban Educational Leadership Program and has been in various educational leadership roles the last 17+ years. Starting in 2009 he served as the founding principal of Skinner North where he led for 8 years. In 2016, in collaboration with Dr. Katie Magnuson, Skinner North earned the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools designation.

From 2017-2020, Ethan served as the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and the Director of Advanced Learning in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) . He returned to Chicago in 2020 as the Executive Director for School Supports in the Office of Network Support (ONS). In this role, Ethan acted as the Independent School Principal (ISP) Chief and led and supported all principals in the program. Dr. Netterstrom also managed the district's Parent Support Center, which provides support to parents across all 500+ district-run schools.

Ethan most recently served as the Network 7 Deputy Chief of Schools, under the leadership of Network 7 Chief of Schools, Dr. Antonio Acevedo. From this role, Dr. Netterstrom has led and supported principals, assistant principals and school teams in the North Lawndale, Little Village, Pilsen and Marshall Square.

Ethan lives in Portage Park with his wife, Leanne, who is the STEAM Specialist at North Grand HS. He has 5 children, 3 of whom live in Chicago and attend CPS schools. He feels grateful to have been selected for this role and to continue serving Chicago’s students, families and schools in his new role as the Network 6 Chief of Schools.

Prior to serving in this role, Dr. Acevedo served as the principal of Whittier Dual Language Magnet School, where he raised the school’s quality rating from Level 3 to Level 1+ in five years and led community-centered efforts to make Whittier the first dual language magnet school on the South Side of Chicago. He has also worked as the deputy chief of the Office of Language and Cultural Education and as an instructional support leader for Network 7 schools. 

Dr. Acevedo began working for the district in 1993 as a bilingual teacher in West Humboldt Park, the same neighborhood in which he grew up. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Loyola University Chicago. 

Gilberto's philosophy in education is deeply rooted in his belief that EVERY child can ACHIEVE and that educators have the special responsibility to make that happen.

Gilberto was born in Colombia, where he was trained as a dentist. He came to the U.S. in 1997, but shortly thereafter, he found himself supporting students in a classroom. As of 1999, Gilberto found a new calling and passion: Educating children! He worked as a bilingual and middle school classroom teacher in CPS for 11 years and began his career in administration in 2011 as the assistant principal at Saucedo Scholastic Academy. During his time at Saucedo, the school earned the highest category given by Chicago Public Schools.

In 2015, Gilberto was selected as the principal at Jordan Community School, where he taught 10 years earlier. Under his leadership, Jordan improved its standing, earning the designation of a Level 1+ school. In early 2023, Gilberto joined Network 8 as their Deputy Chief, and in the same year, he was fortunate to be named Chief of Schools of that same Network.

In addition, Mason has served as a principal leader for the former Chief Education Officer Principal Advisory Council (PAC), the Chicago Public School District Principal Procurement Advisory Council (PPAC), The Fund Education Advisory Council, Cahn Alumni Advisor, Chief Schools Officer Advisory Council (CSO) and is nationally recognized as a Cahn Distinguished Principals Fellow.

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Mason is a proud product of CPS. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuary Science from the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana. She holds a Master of Arts from Saint Xavier University in Elementary Education and Concordia University in School Leadership.

 

 

Mira moved to Chicago in 1999 and began her teaching career in CPS as a middle school special education teacher before teaching primary age general education students at Agassiz Elementary School (now Tubman). After completing her principal residency and leadership development program, LAUNCH, she had the rare but special opportunity to return to the same school where she taught as their principal. She proudly served as principal for 14 years at Tubman, expanding opportunities for students from over 40 Chicagoland zip codes to include a fully authorized IB program, and also led the school community through a student-led renaming process during the 2020 school year.

 

Mira holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in Child and Family Relationships, a Post Baccalaureate Degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in Urban Education and a Master’s Degree from National Louis University in Administrative Leadership.

Shenethe keeps students’ best interests at the forefront of every decision. She believes equitable schools begin with strong leaders who build the capacity of teachers to provide culturally relevant and rigorous academic experiences within and beyond the walls of the classroom. She firmly believes that children thrive in a nurturing school environment that fosters tenacity to reach their highest potential.

As a proud CPS graduate, Shenethe began her career as a teacher at William H. Ray Elementary School. She has served as the assistant principal of Canter Middle School, the principal of Bret Harte Elementary School, and deputy chief of schools in network 3. She has also served as a mentor principal and participated in both the Chicago Principals Fellowship and the Cahn Fellowship Program.

Shenethe holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University.

assistant principal (10 years) and principal (6 years). In 2019, she was inducted into the Chicago Vocational High School “Hall of Fame”. Dr. Perry has devoted her life to educating and being a “mother” to all (young and old). Her hard work and her dedication to her students did not go unnoticed. In 2001, she was named “Teacher of the Year”; and, in 2018, “Principal of the Year”. Dr. Perry is a participant in the Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Principals. And, in 2020, she was a recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Excellence in Leadership Award for the state of Illinois. Her most recent accomplishment is being named 2021’s “Game Changer of the Year” for the Chicago Public Schools. Under her leadership, Arthur Dixon Elementary School was highlighted and rated in Chicago Magazine as the #7 school in Chicago. Dr. Perry holds a B.S. in Education from Chicago State University, with an area of concentration in Special Education and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Development, also from Chicago State. She received her educational leadership license from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Loyola University-Chicago. Dr. Perry is now the Deputy Chief of Schools for Network 10 (CPS). She is also a mentor and Ambassador for the Golden Apple Foundation for first- and second-year scholar teachers. Dr. Perry has mentored hundreds of principals, assistant principals and teachers, both within and outside of the Chicagoland area. Her ultimate goal in life is to evoke change on a global level. Her educational travels to Alaska (through Chicago State University), Rome (through Loyola University), China (through the College Board) and, most recently, South Africa (through the Golden Apple Foundation) have only served to fuel that passion. Dr. Perry will stop at nothing! Her motto is, “Forget about all of the reasons why something may not work. You only need to find one good reason why it will.” Dr. Robert Anthony.

Laura began her career with CPS in 2004 as an English teacher at Benito Juarez Community Academy High School, where she later became assistant principal. Laura also served as principal of Friedrich W. Von Steuben Metropolitan Science High School for four years. Under her leadership, Von Steuben achieved a Level 1+ school quality rating during SY2015–16 and continued to grow in subsequent years. As a principal, Laura was proud to serve as a mentor to new principals and to participate in the Chicago Principals Fellowship program.

Laura holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Northeastern Illinois University, a master’s degree in history from Loyola University of Chicago, and a doctorate in urban education and leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Throughout his principal tenure, Michael focused on equity and well-rounded education and continues these priorities as network chief. Under Michael’s leadership, LPHS increased Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate course enrollment by more than 30 percent, and nearly 50 percent of LPHS students participated in at least one performing arts group. Michael began his career in education with CPS in 1997, serving as a teacher at Canter Middle School and William Rainey Harper High School and spending seven years as an assistant principal at Kenwood Academy High School.

Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in education with certification in social studies from the University of Michigan, and an educational leadership certificate from National-Louis University that he obtained through New Leaders for New Schools Cohort 3.

Prior to leading Network 16, Devon spent nearly a decade as a school principal. He also served as an assistant principal of curriculum and instruction and as a social science teacher. He believes in taking a student-centered approach to education that focuses on equity and rigorous academic experiences. As a father of three, his approach to supporting students mirrors how he supports his own children by leading with love.

 

Prior to this role, Myron served as the principal of Julian High School. As a school leader, he focused on fostering learning environments that allowed all students to discover their interests and excel academically. He also fostered many community-centered partnerships to support both students and families.

Myron is a Chicago native and has held leadership positions within CPS for more than a decade. He holds an education specialist degree in educational leadership and administration from Walden University and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Governors State University.

During my 12 years as principal,  I have prepared myself for this new role by always being professional and ensuring that all school related work is grounded in effective school systems, processes, and academic strategies. As an educator, these structures are key levers in ensuring that students are supported and educated in environments that allow students access to take advantage post secondary opportunities. 

As the new Chief of Options Schools, it will be  essential to build and implement  systemic systems and structures in a cohesive manner that will provide transitional and consistent support to all students that enroll in option schools.