Chicago Collaborative

As a member of the Chicago team, Claudine uses her content knowledge and experience in and out of schools to build teacher capacity and develop their instructional practices as it relates to Common Core State Standards and shifts for math.

Before joining Leading Educators, Claudine provided targeted, individualized coaching supports for new and experienced teachers in schools within the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) network of Chicago Public Schools. Prior to her work at AUSL, Claudine was a Middle School teacher through the Inner City Teaching Corps, and a teacher and Math Coach at the University of Chicago Charter School - Donoghue Campus.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Claudine currently lives outside of Chicago with her husband, Sam III, and their two children, Mara and Sam IV, is a member of her local school board, and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Shondele Gillens Vazquez, is a dancer, a lifelong learner, and educator committed to developing teacher leaders into effective advocates for scholars whose voices are silenced by trauma and inequitable practices. As an educator for eight years, an instructional coach on Chicago’s South and West Side for another eight and now transitioning to Instructional Leader, Shondele works daily to look beyond numbers into tangible practices that give scholars access and voices.

She enjoys creating spaces where educators share experiences and problems of practice in an effort to learn from one another and develop collegial relationships. She is rooted in the belief that teachers with an awareness of strengths and influence have a special set of leadership skills necessary to influence and support educational efforts to promote equity and advocacy for children of color.

Shondele is driven by her strong desire to be an advocate for students whose voices are not recognized as appropriately powerful. She is excited to be a part of a team that believes all kids deserve to be heard while being committed to the “dance” that empowers and liberates teachers to be leaders in this necessary work.

Tori supports school leaders and teachers in the Chicago area by designing professional development focused on providing students with equitable standards-based math instruction.

Previously, she coached instructional leaders across Chicago as an Instructional Leadership Coach at Leading Educators. Before joining Leading Educators, Tori worked as an instructional coach with a charter school in Chicago. She has worked education for over 25 a teacher, Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, Math Coordinator, and Instructional Coach.

Tori holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Tufts University and a M.A. in School Leadership from Concordia University. She lives in a suburb of Chicago where she enjoys exploring the different neighborhoods of Chicago, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

LeAnita is a partner and guide for educators who works to make schools more equitable. She builds teacher capacity and understanding of instructional practices as it relates to Common Core State Standards and shifts for math.

Previously, LeAnita provided targeted, individualized coaching supports for new teachers in schools within the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) network of Chicago Public Schools. Prior to her work at AUSL, LeAnita was a primary and intermediate classroom teacher with Atlanta Public Schools and more recently at the University of Chicago Charter School-Donoghue Campus.

LeAnita holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Development from Northern Illinois University and a M.A.Ed in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University. She lives in Chicago, Il, with her husband Eric and son Logan and spends her free time exploring Chicago for and through the eyes of her toddler, binge-watching shows on Netflix, and occasionally cozying up with a good book.

Danielle Parker is the Program Manager for Chicago-based partnerships. She joined Leading Educators as a recent classroom teacher after navigating in-person and virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Danielle taught in Kansas City, MO and Chicago for five years. In her free time, she enjoys listening to comedy shows, reading a good book, or spending time outdoors.