Accelerate Institute

We’d like to share a big congratulations with Accelerate Institute school leaders Latasha Geverola (Chicago Public Schools) and Mariama Shaheed, EdD, (Global Preparatory Academy), two of the newest members of the Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship!

As part of the 2025 cohort, these inspiring leaders will join with nearly 60 other K-12 leaders to develop knowledge and skills to become catalysts for transforming public education and creating a dramatic, lasting impact for the students they serve by providing excellent educational opportunities.

Congratulations again on this exciting new undertaking, Chief Geverola and Dr. Shaheed. We commend you for the unwavering commitment you demonstrate in serving your school communities! https://tinyurl.com/42w4ku9n

The Surge Institute has announced its 2026 Chicago Fellowship Cohort — and we’re pleased to see one of our truly inspirational Accelerate Institute school leaders on the list! Congratulations, Keviyona Ray, on this exciting move you’re making to help elevate your influence as a leader.

As principal of A. Philip Randolph Elementary School, Keviyona carries on her nearly two decade-long career serving the West Side school. In joining the Surge Institute’s 2026 cohort, she’ll work alongside 24 other leaders of color in the education space who are working to advance their leadership skills during this 10-month experience.

Congrats again, Principal Ray! We’re excited to see where this promising opportunity will help take things for you and your school community.

Surge Institute Welcomes the 2026 Chicago Fellowship Cohort 25 leaders join the 2026 Surge Fellowship Chicago to grow as changemakers, advancing equity and justice in education.

“Rigid”… “disconnected”… “transactional.” Those were some of the words that education leaders, funders, and policymakers used when asked by students during the 2025 NewSchools Summit how they would describe their own experience in high school.

With this being the case for many in the education space, shouldn’t we all be doing everything in our power to ensure our students today aren’t left with the same impression? For doing so, allowing students to feel seen and heard when it comes to their school experience is paramount.

Listen now as students weigh in on what’s most important to them for cultivating an effective and inclusive learning experience in episode 2 of NewSchools’ “Bright Spots” podcast.

Rethinking Schools: Students Speak up! | Ep 2. Bright Spots Students share what it feels like to be unseen in school—and how they’re leading change. This episode explores their call for adults to listen, rebuild trust...

Welcome back, Principal Whitney McIntosh!

After her time as founding principal and CEO of Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Las Vegas, this truly tremendous Accelerate Institute school leader is now back in Chicago for the 2025-26 school year in an exciting new role. As the principal of St. Angela School in the city’s Austin neighborhood, Whitney says her leading priority for this year will be conducting a listening tour to make sure families’, staff members’ and all stakeholders’ voices are heard.

Here at Accelerate Institute, we’re incredibly proud of our long history of partnering with and supporting Catholic schools on the West and South Sides through the Big Shoulders Fund, and are thrilled to see this continue with Whitney as principal.

To learn more about Principal McIntosh’s exciting new role serving the St. Angela School community with the help of the Big Shoulders Fund, head over to the Austin Weekly News now. https://tinyurl.com/jxeyrtjn

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, everyone!

As we celebrate the rich history and unwavering determination of the Latinx community, what better place to enjoy than in Chicago’s many, many own thriving Latinx communities, must-try eateries and illuminating cultural institutions?! Follow the link below to find recommendations from Choose Chicago for festivals/events, restaurants, and exhibits around town. If you're not in Chicago, make sure to check out local events taking place near you.

We’d also like to take the opportunity today to reaffirm that — as so many of our students, families and school leaders have been threatened amid the increased ICE presence in Chicago’s communities — you are not alone. We stand together with you all in solidarity and in celebration of our city's proud Latinx communities. For those who would also like to show your support, please find more resources below.

- Choose Chicago: https://tinyurl.com/45ewzkhs
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights: https://www.icirr.org/
- Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/
- ACLU Illinois (protesters’ rights): https://tinyurl.com/me57usrz

With the ongoing threats of increased ICE presence in Chicago’s communities, it goes without saying that recent times have been weighing heavily on our students, families, and school communities around the city. Accelerate Institute believes strongly that no child should come to school carrying fear — and no family should have to worry about their safety.

To help protect our school communities and families, we would like to share some recommendations on steps we can all take to make a difference. Together, we can ensure every child feels safe and secure in pursuing their education. Thank you for your partnership, and please take care of yourselves as your continue to care for others.

- If you live in Chicago, reach out to your alderperson; they may be organizing volunteer/support opportunities
- Donate to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, a wonderful organization that advocates for immigrants’ and refugees’ rights: https://www.icirr.org/
- Show your support to the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, which works to protect the safety and dignity of immigrant children: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/
- Participate in a protest (and know your rights): https://tinyurl.com/me57usrz

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! We hope everyone’s year is starting off well with strong community, shared goals and visions, and lots of learning and fun for all!

That first big day of the new year can be really exciting, but a bit nerve-racking, too — for both educators and students alike! To hear from six Washington, D.C.-area students about all their first day back in class had to offer, head over to The Washington Post now.

What are kids most excited about for school? Plants, friends and pencils. More than 280,000 students in Fairfax, Prince William and Alexandria returned to the classroom Monday, kicking off back-to-school-season in the Washington region