The week of April 6th is National Assistant Principal Week, the perfect opportunity to honor and recognize our incredible assistant principals (APs) who guide our campuses every day. This year, we are giving them their flowers—a tribute to the dedication, vision, and heart our APs pour into their schools, their staff, and their students.
The foundation of a thriving culture is strong leadership, and our assistant principals are truly exceptional. Here are just a few notes of appreciation for all that they do to truly make us Distinctive:
Lindsay Garcia, CICS Bucktown
“Thank you for jumping in wherever needed without hesitation, supporting staff with consistency and care, and always keeping students at the heart of every decision. Your dedication, flexibility, and genuine commitment make a difference every single day—we’re so lucky to have you!”
“Assistant Principal Garcia is resilient, vibrant, and always adding strength to the school community. She shows up with heart and purpose.”
“You can see her steady, collaborative-minded spirit permeate through the school in the way staff shows up for one another to provide CICS Bucktown students with the best educational experience they can.”
Annie Dillon, CICS Irving Park
“Your attention to detail keeps everything running smoothly and thoughtfully. Your calm, steady presence brings confidence to both staff and students, even in the busiest moments. You lead with quiet strength and intention, and it makes a lasting impact on our entire school community.”
“Assistant Principal Dillon brings calm, care, and reassurance in the middle of busy school days. Her leadership helps others breathe easier.”
“Everything she does is truly in service of making CICS Irving Park a special place. From the way she interacts with families and students to coaching and collaborating with staff, she sets the tone for what it means to be a Puma!”
Jasmine White, CICS Loomis
“Assistant Principal White makes a big difference in ways both seen and unseen—her work helps the entire school flourish!”
“Thank you for bringing both sharp thinking and joyful energy to everything you do! Your insight and clarity make a difference in every space you enter, and your positivity lifts the entire community. You make hard work feel lighter and better for everyone around you.”
“Her ‘all in approach’ and the joy and creativity she brings to the work is infectious. Smiles are inevitable when you are in the room!”
Kamilah Chandler-Connor, CICS Longwood Elementary
“You set the bar high and help everyone rise to meet it! Your unwavering expectations, fierce advocacy for students, and ability to get things done make a powerful impact every day. You lead with purpose, push for what’s best for kids, and follow through—our school is stronger because of you.”
“Thank you, Assistant Principal Chandler-Conner, for your passion and commitment to elevating this work, setting high expectations, and building a strong community at Longwood Elementary—this work is exceptional, appreciated, and worthy of celebration!”
“She brings positivity and encouragement that lifts the whole team. Her joy and optimism make a difference.”
Jeremy Roussel, CICS Longwood High School
“Assistant Principal Roussel has a calm, steady presence that keeps everything grounded, even in the busiest moments. He sets the tone with clarity and purpose, always reinforcing that we’re here for kids, no matter what. His deep care shows in every interaction, and it makes a lasting difference for both students and staff.”
“Thank you for leading with strength and heart. Even in the toughest moments, your care for students and staff stands out.”
“Everytime I see Assistant Principal Roussel, he’s surrounded by students. I think that’s a testament to how well he builds relationships—high schoolers want to talk to him, they want to show him what they’re working on, they want to share their personal celebrations with him! That doesn’t happen by accident—it happens because he’s taken the time to listen, learn, and get to really know them as people.”
Deanya Watkins, CICS Prairie
“Assistant Principal Watkins, you bring energy, steadiness, and light to the building every day. People naturally turn toward your leadership.”
“She has a passion for kids and families that shines through in everything she does! Her genuine care, openness, and commitment to partnership build strong, trusting relationships across the community. She leads with heart and collaboration, and it makes a meaningful difference for everyone in the CICS Prairie community.”
“Thank you, Assistant Principal Watkins, for the kindness you show everyone—you can see the example you’ve set really play out at school that’s helped create the welcoming and collaborative culture.”
Kathy Clough, CICS West Belden
“Your fingerprints are over the improvements, shifts and investments that your staff is making to focus on belonging and community. Thank you, Assistant Principal Clough!”
“She brings CICS West Belden to life in the way that she captures all the incredible moments and shares with families on social media. Thank you!”
“You have a keen attention to detail, which ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Your impact on school improvement is clear, and you lead with both precision and heart, making sure not only the work is done well, but that people feel seen and supported along the way. Your thoughtfulness and follow-through make a lasting difference every day.”
The impact of our assistant principals is vast, touching every student, staff member, and family. We encourage everyone in the Distinctive Schools community to continue to give them their flowers throughout this week—and beyond!
Whether it’s a quick email of gratitude, a note of thanks, or recognizing them in passing in the hallway, your appreciation keeps their passion burning brightly. Thank you again to our APs—your dedication is the engine that drives our joyful, thriving culture a reality every day.