Photo by Trey Ratcliff
By Rebeca Nieves Huffman, DFER Illinois State Director
If there were a theme for the last 10 years of my education reform experience, it would be, “teased but not completely pleased.” I’ve been working for amazing, national organizations doing meaningful work in many places across the country – except in my lovely Chi-town. While working in other cities, I watched as Chicago experienced bold, and at times, trailblazing efforts in my own backyard and longed to be a part of the action in my own hometown.
If Tyra Banks hosted “America’s Next Top Reformers,” the band of reform allies across Illinois would win. She’d ordain the likes of Phyllis Lockett (New Schools for Chicago), Beth Purvis (Chicago International Charter Schools), Juan Rangel (United Neighborhood Organization), Bruce Rauner (Philanthropist), State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D), and Josh Anderson (Teach for America) with the coveted ‘f’ word…fierce.
For me, the teasing began in 2001 when I was working for the KIPP Foundation. The CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Arne Duncan, and former Mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, announced the closure of three chronically failing public schools and the creation of new schools, many of which would be charters. I practically did a back flip while watching the news conference out of excitement for the reforms about to take place in my city.
Fast-forward 10 years later and reformers are still aggressively working to put the best interests of kids first–and I’m so thrilled to be joining them in that work as the Illinois State Director for Democrats for Education Reform.