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Chicago Public Schools leaders thank teachers as district reports rising literacy and graduation outcomes
Summary
Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Macklin King and Chief Education Officer Dr. Karim Asaf thanked district teachers during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, highlighting climbing literacy rates and increased graduations alongside a call to support students furthest from opportunity.
Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Macklin King and Chief Education Officer Dr. Karim Asaf on Friday thanked the district’s teachers and staff as the district observed Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, and said academic outcomes are improving.
"We want to thank you for being such incredible role models for Chicago's children," Dr. King said, expressing appreciation for teachers’ daily work and asking staff to acknowledge the impact they have on students.
Dr. Asaf, the district’s new chief education officer, said CPS has seen progress in early literacy and other measures of student success. "Our literacy rates are climbing, especially among our youngest learners," he said, and added that students are "graduating from high school and earning college credit and scholarships in record numbers." Those statements were presented as district observations during the remarks; no supporting data or specific figures were provided in the address.
Both leaders noted their prior experience as CPS teachers to emphasize shared ties to classroom work. Dr. Asaf framed the remarks around equity, urging continued focus on "our students furthest from opportunity," and both leaders stressed the role teachers play in creating safe spaces for students to express their thoughts and feelings.
"Happy teacher and staff appreciation week, everyone. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our district," Dr. King said in closing.
The remarks were a ceremonial address of gratitude and were not accompanied by formal board action or votes.
