The 2026 Leadership Exchange brought together CPAA leaders from schools across Chicago for two days of learning and connection… plus there was plenty of infectious energy. Different buildings. Different leaders. Different roles. Different perspectives. Different needs. All in one room, figuring out how that individuality adds up to one union… speaking with one voice.
Because our union doesn’t ask people to set aside who they are… we ask them to bring who they are into the room... and then find where their voice joins with everyone else’s. Quite literally Chief of Staff Chad Thomas said, “We don’t ever want to minimize an experience… any experience. We want you to bring yourselves into each room and bring your unique experiences with you. That is how we live our union values.”
As union staff, we watch for trends across every issue brought to CPAA because that’s how the conditions we fight for improve. President Banks shared, “If we don’t know an issue is happening, we can’t fix it. And if members are only talking about it with each other, but not sharing it with us, we can’t do anything about it.”
That’s where CPAA auxiliaries come in. Auxiliary leaders hear directly from their colleagues and should refer them to the CPAA Legal Hotline (312-263-7773) for member support or legal assistance. Certain matters may be elevated to our Governing Board, which may route an issue to a committee already working in that area or elevate it to our President for a response. President Banks reinforced that process with a graphic, and explained that the CPAA governance is, “... built so that an individual concern has a path to relief and maybe even becoming a collective action.”
That’s inclusion in practice. Our values exist to guide every part of the work we do and the priorities we go after. They provide our structure. Inclusion means all voices are welcome. And when we find the places where those voices point in the same direction, we become more powerful without becoming less individual.
The two days held plenty else, too: in-depth review of our Interim Memorandum of Understanding with our Bargaining Team, a lessons-learned panel featuring CPAA school leaders, a Political Action overview, a leadership lunch with guests from the Chicago Education Alliance, opportunities to connect in the work and share challenges of union leadership… there was even bowling at Kings Dining & Entertainment.
The through-line was always the same, our values: Curiosity, Collaboration, Inclusion and Integrity, driving our four shared strategic goals: Bargain, Educate, Advocate, Sustain.
When our leaders come together with curiosity and leave informed and connected there is a strength in the energy that is created. And that energy doesn’t stay in the room. It travels...
The Yonkers Council of Administrators unites, represents, and supports the educational leaders who serve Yonkers Public Schools. Through strong advocacy, collective representation, professional support, and collaboration, we work to protect the interests of our members while strengthening leadership across our school community.
A united community of Yonkers administrators who are valued, supported, and empowered to lead with confidence and purpose—strengthening our profession, our schools, and the community we serve.
