For a gift during staff appreciation week, Principal Shahran Spears gave a booklet to all teachers and teacher assistants on Monday, May 4, 2015 called Inspire For Teachers: Prayers, Promises, and Proverbs for Those Who Change Lives and Tough Hearts. Less than 24 hours after the booklets were distributed, someone from school district 428 removed any remaining books from staff mailboxes and Ms. Spears was placed on administrative leave WITHOUT explanation. On June 2, 2015, she was brought up on charges that allegedly violated school board policy. Six of the seven charges against Ms. Spears are about the booklet. This is alarming because she is an exceptional leader in the school district and community.
Ms. Shahran Spears is an education advocate in the community. She is hardworking, nurturing and is an advocate for lifelong learning. She has been a pillar for the students, parents and staff. She broadens their horizons by bringing in new experiences and exposure to other cultural customs. Ms. Spears is very professional, her presence alone challenges you to put forth your best self. She cares for her students with the utmost priority and strives to make you feel just like family. If you are ever in her presence, you will see that everyday of the week.
We need to show our support for principal Spears by signing this petition. The Dekalb 428 School Board voted to dismiss Ms. Spears on June 15, 2015.
Photos from: Illinois Press Photgraphers Association, Kyle Burshaw/ The Daily Chronicle
Updates
June 16, 2015
The silence from the district office remains deafening while we wait for any real explanation about Ms. Spears being placed on leave. I have been spending my nights reviewing the policies they cited because it feels like they are targeting her for being a compassionate leader. Please keep reading the stories in the comments to remember why we cannot let this go.
June 16, 2015
Seeing this level of support for Ms. Spears reinforces everything I know about the kind of leader she is. It is clear that the community sees the injustice here and refuses to stay quiet while she faces these baseless charges.
Reached 100 supporters
June 16, 2015
64 Comments
This district should be ashamed of themselves. This is absolutely disgraceful! She's he best principal this city has EVER seen and the academic improvement of the students at Brooks is proof of that!!!
This is ridiculous, it doesn't make sense that they would put her on administrative leave if the books were only given to them and not expounded on.
We support Ms. Shahran Spears. She is an important part to our childrens education and is the glue that binds Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary.
I had no idea this was why she left.... I am a parent of a child at the school, and I did not appreciate not getting any type of explanation. The woman was only trying to uplift her staff and build them into better educators for our children. I am sure had she known this would get her in trouble, she would have thought twice. Bring back Ms. Spears!
Inspire for Teachers has encouraged educators and parents all over the world. The content is scriptural-based and sound. Ms. Spears should not be dismissed because she purchased a copy of it for her teachers.
Wow!!!! She was a great prinicapal.
I support Principal Spears whole heartily!
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For a gift during staff appreciation week, Principal Shahran Spears gave a booklet to all teachers and teacher assistants on Monday, May 4, 2015 called Inspire For Teachers: Prayers, Promises, and Proverbs for Those Who Change Lives and Tough Hearts. Less than 24 hours after the booklets were distributed, someone from school district 428 removed any remaining books from staff mailboxes and Ms. Spears was placed on administrative leave WITHOUT explanation. On June 2, 2015, she was brought up on charges that allegedly violated school board policy. Six of the seven charges against Ms. Spears are about the booklet. This is alarming because she is an exceptional leader in the school district and community.
Ms. Shahran Spears is an education advocate in the community. She is hardworking, nurturing and is an advocate for lifelong learning. She has been a pillar for the students, parents and staff. She broadens their horizons by bringing in new experiences and exposure to other cultural customs. Ms. Spears is very professional, her presence alone challenges you to put forth your best self. She cares for her students with the utmost priority and strives to make you feel just like family. If you are ever in her presence, you will see that everyday of the week.
We need to show our support for principal Spears by signing this petition. The Dekalb 428 School Board voted to dismiss Ms. Spears on June 15, 2015.
Photos from: Illinois Press Photgraphers Association, Kyle Burshaw/ The Daily Chronicle
Updates
June 16, 2015
The silence from the district office remains deafening while we wait for any real explanation about Ms. Spears being placed on leave. I have been spending my nights reviewing the policies they cited because it feels like they are targeting her for being a compassionate leader. Please keep reading the stories in the comments to remember why we cannot let this go.
June 16, 2015
Seeing this level of support for Ms. Spears reinforces everything I know about the kind of leader she is. It is clear that the community sees the injustice here and refuses to stay quiet while she faces these baseless charges.
Reached 100 supporters
June 16, 2015
64 Comments
Exceptional teacher in her past, and now an outstanding leader! My daughter is 22 years old and Spears was her 2nd grade teacher, my daughter looked up to Ms. Spears as a kid and still dose as a young adult. She is truly a roll model in my household!
This district should be ashamed of themselves. This is absolutely disgraceful! She's he best principal this city has EVER seen and the academic improvement of the students at Brooks is proof of that!!!
This is ridiculous, it doesn't make sense that they would put her on administrative leave if the books were only given to them and not expounded on.
We support Ms. Shahran Spears. She is an important part to our childrens education and is the glue that binds Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary.
I had no idea this was why she left.... I am a parent of a child at the school, and I did not appreciate not getting any type of explanation. The woman was only trying to uplift her staff and build them into better educators for our children. I am sure had she known this would get her in trouble, she would have thought twice. Bring back Ms. Spears!
Inspire for Teachers has encouraged educators and parents all over the world. The content is scriptural-based and sound. Ms. Spears should not be dismissed because she purchased a copy of it for her teachers.
Wow!!!! She was a great prinicapal.
I support Principal Spears whole heartily!
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Exceptional teacher in her past, and now an outstanding leader! My daughter is 22 years old and Spears was her 2nd grade teacher, my daughter looked up to Ms. Spears as a kid and still dose as a young adult. She is truly a roll model in my household!