WHAT COLLEAGUES SAY
“Your approach to research is creative, systematic, relentless and inspired. All of these attributes come from your genuine passion for doing research that can contribute directly to improved policy and practice.”
— Paul Zavitkovsky, Expert analyst of standardized test data trends for Chicago and Illinois. Also, Former UIC Leadership Coach and CPS Principal
“Your work on the high churn index is creative--you figured out a significant indicator from existing information. We will keep thinking about this as we go forward. I would think the index would be especially relevant coming out of the pandemic…. ”
— Penny Bender Sebring, Co-Founder, University of Chicago Consortium on School Research
“You have done such important work for us over the years, and you’ve definitely expanded and clarified the way I look at school leader development. Thank you for all your contributions on leading high-churn schools, on our induction/socialization process, on our admissions process and all the other work that I know I haven’t seen.”
— David Mayrowetz, UIC Associate Professor and Faculty Member in the EdD Program for Urban Education Leadership
“Just a short note to let you know how much the (leadership) coaches appreciate your contributions to the EdD program. Your research and problem identification is outstanding. As a result, we have created coaching tools and practices that will be in use for a long time. You have made us think in new and deeper ways.”
— Cynthia Barron, Program Coordinator for the UIC EdD Program in Urban Education Leadership and Leadership Coach
“When a piece [of writing] develops this much over time, it makes the time invested worthwhile. This is really remarkable, and I'd be happy to share it with anyone. It deeply informs the EdD Program roadmap document. I am very proud to be second author of these two literature treatments.”
— Steve Tozer, Professor Emeritus and Founder and Former Director of the UIC Center for Urban School Leadership (CUEL). Comments are about an extensive literature essay/review on the topic of leadership of high-churn schools with a focus on early childhood education.
“You can go into a swamp and come out and say something about it. Being a ‘swamp thing’ is the greatest compliment I can give. It means you are willing to deal with complexity and try to make sense of it.”
— Matthew Stagner, VP, Mathematica (Former Director of Chapin Hall)
“Your work ethic and willingness to go ‘deep’ into every project has always served as a model. Even more impressive is your authentic and consistent concern and commitment to equitable treatment and outcomes for all students, but particularly those most at risk. That has continually surfaced in your work and should, indeed, be what we are all about. Thank you for keeping us focused.”
— Martha Hebert, Researcher, UIC Center for Urban Education Leadership (CUEL)
“Thank you, not only for sharing of your talent (gift) with respect to the work but your infectious commitment! You are truly the real deal.”