Tiffani M Watson
Educator, School Administrator, and Non-Profit Leader
I am a seasoned professional with a background in education and leadership roles within both academic and non-profit sectors. I began my career in education over a decade ago after having secured my Master of Education degree from DePaul University. Initially, I held position as an after-school instructor in Humboldt Park, then transitioned into teaching Language Arts and Writing at Percy Julian and Gwendolyn Brooks Middle Schools and, later, at Chicago International Charter School.
In 2012 I began Freshman Composition instruction at North Lawndale College Prep, and soon assumed the responsibilities of a Dean of Culture at South Shore's EPIC Academy in 2015.
Currently, I hold the position of Managing Director at the Chicago Bar Association’s Media and Civic Education, Inc., a reputable non-profit organization headquartered in Chicago. In this capacity, I oversee a city-wide civic education initiative tailored for elementary, middle, and high school students. Known as "Lawyers in the Classroom," this program is designed to equip 2nd to 9th-grade students with a comprehensive understanding of the Constitution, Constitutional principles, and their rights as citizens within the legal framework. Moreover, as a collaborative effort, this program engages with a network of 60 schools spanning across the Chicagoland area. By fostering partnerships with these educational institutions, the initiative aims to empower and inspire students to embrace active leadership roles within their respective schools and communities.
With close to fourteen years of expertise in education, encompassing curriculum development, instructional delivery, and the cultivation of school culture, alongside extensive experience in program management and administration, I have channeled a significant portion of my efforts towards community engagement. One of the more noteworthy projects that exemplifies this commitment is my recent work with the Northwestern University and Racial Equity Partnership grant - a program designed to foster collaborative partnerships between community-based organizations and representatives from Northwestern University and aimed at tackling the underlying factors contributing to racial inequities and advancing structural reform.
Drawing from achievements such as the Northwestern University and Racial Equity Partnership grant and leveraging my extensive background in education, I felt compelled to establish an organization that provides meticulously designed Professional Development programs for educators, innovative Curriculum Development strategies for institutions, and effective restorative justice frameworks for schools and organizations. These endeavors are fueled by a profound dedication to fostering educational excellence and advancing social equity.
Over the course of my professional journey, I have dedicated myself to cultivating academic excellence and nurturing conducive learning atmospheres. I have continuously sought to empower students and communities alike as a teacher, as a facilitator, and as a Managing Director. I am deeply committed to facilitating significant transformations by providing students, businesses, schools, and organizations with vital knowledge and inspiration to foster positive change and confront systemic inequities within our communities.