Michelle Pierre is an educator and school leader with nearly 30 years of experience serving students and families. Originally from New York and the proud daughter of immigrants from the Caribbean and Central America, she has called Chicago home for the past eight years and is the mother of two CPS students. Pierre has served as a teacher, principal, district leader and Chief Schools Officer for the LEARN Charter Network, supporting schools across Chicago's West and South Sides. She previously ran for the District 1 school board seat in 2024. Pierre would bring decades of education leadership and a thoughtful, student-centered approach to the Board, focused on helping every child succeed.

Hector Morales is a practicing attorney and lifelong advocate for children and families. Originally from Puerto Rico, raised in Uptown Morales is a CPS alumnus, attending Senn and Clemente High Schools before earning his law degree from UIC John Marshall Law School. After more than 20 years running his own law practice, Morales now serves with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, focusing on child protection and juvenile justice. Among his priorities for CPS is increasing funding for the arts.

Kyna Lenhof is a Chicago professional with experience in operations, management and civic engagement. As Treasurer of the 40th Ward Democratic Organization, she has experience supporting sound financial oversight and organizational leadership. Lenhof would bring an independent, pragmatic perspective to the Chicago Board of Education, approaching decisions thoughtfully, working collaboratively and keeping the focus on what is best for Chicago's students, families and taxpayers.

Pete Gonzales is a public servant and attorney committed to improving government through thoughtful, data-driven leadership. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Notre Dame Law School, Gonzalez currently serves as a Legal Advisor in the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, where he focuses on rebuilding the Administrative Hearings Process and leading BAIID regulation. His background in public service and policy would bring a practical, collaborative approach to Board decisions and a focus on effective governance.

Carlos Rivas Jr. is an educator and public servant with experience spanning the classroom, school leadership and public accountability. A Humboldt Park native and graduate of Northside College Preparatory High School, he returned to Chicago after college to teach through Teach For America before joining Noble Schools, where he served as a Spanish instructor before becoming an Alumni Counselor on the network's College Team. He now serves as Director of Public Affairs for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), working to strengthen community trust and expand public engagement. As the only openly gay member of the Chicago Board of Education, Rivas has brought a collaborative, independent perspective to public service. His background in education, commitment to transparency and focus on student success would continue to serve Chicago families well.

Dr. Ellen Sherratt is a nationally recognized expert on education policy. She holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and earned master's and doctorate from the University of Oxford. As a consultant for the American Institutes of Research, Dr. Sherratt traveled the country conducting applied research and providing consulting to state and local education agencies on teacher and principal effectiveness, with a focus on the perspectives and priorities of millennial teachers. In 2017 she became the VP of Policy and Research at the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She now serves as the Founder and President of Common Cents Consulting an organization that supports nonprofit and state and local education agencies with education policy thought-partnership, strategy development, and impact consultation. From 2015 to 2025, Dr. Sherratt served as the Board President and Acting President of the Teacher Salary Project, a 501(c)(4) that advocates for higher pay for public school teachers at the federal level. 

Ellen Rosenfeld is a CPS parent, teacher and longtime school community leader. She has served as a classroom teacher, Local School Council chair, member of the district-wide Local School Council Advisory Board and Family and Community Engagement Specialist for Chicago Public Schools. Having served students, parents and schools in multiple roles, she understands how Board decisions affect classrooms and families across the district.

LaPamela Williams is a lifelong West Side resident whose career has centered on helping families navigate important life decisions. Inspired by her single mother's determination to create opportunities for her children, Williams has built her career assisting individuals with healthcare and retirement planning while serving her community as a realtor. Her experience working directly with families and helping them navigate complex systems would bring a community-focused perspective to the Board's work.

Anthony Hargrove is an educational consultant who spent 20 years working within Chicago Public Schools and previously served as Associate Director of Breakthrough Urban Ministries, supporting students who had dropped out of CPS. He has decades of experience working directly with students and educators and practical knowledge of challenges facing CPS students and teachers. 

Isaiah White is a former CPS teacher with experience in education and public service. Before moving to Chicago, White worked in the New York State Assembly and the office of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries before teaching fifth grade in Chicago Public Schools. His combined experience in classrooms and government brings an understanding of both education and public policy.

Pastor Michael L. Neal is a lifelong Chicagoan, pastor and community leader who has spent years serving Bronzeville through faith-based leadership and neighborhood development. He is the Senior Pastor of Glorious Light Church, Founder and CEO of the Timothy Community Corporation, Co-Chair of the Greater Bronzeville Community Action Council, and Executive Director of the Leading with Literacy program, which has helped provide thousands of books to local students. Neal has also served as a parent representative on the Kenwood Academy Local School Council and has worked alongside community organizations to expand educational opportunities for young people.

Jesus Ayala is a lifelong Chicagoan, former CPS student and Chief Operating Officer of MetroSquash, an out-of-school-time and college success program serving students in Woodlawn. A graduate of Lake Forest College and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Ayala has focused his career on expanding educational opportunities for young people. His operational leadership and experience supporting student success beyond the classroom would provide valuable perspective on preparing students for college and careers.

Angel Gutierrez is a nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience supporting education and community organizations. As Deputy Director of Institutional Advancement at Enlace Chicago, he leads fundraising and communications efforts while also serving on nonprofit boards throughout the city. His experience building organizations, strengthening community partnerships and supporting educational institutions would help connect schools more closely with the communities they serve.

Juan Ignacio Gonzalez is a Marine Corps veteran, Chicago Police detective, small business owner and parent of two CPS students. In addition to his career in law enforcement, he recently opened DreamCatcher Café, a community-focused coffee shop in Back of the Yards. Gonzalez's background in public service, entrepreneurship and community engagement reflects the independent leadership and practical problem-solving needed to help guide Chicago Public Schools on behalf of students, families and taxpayers.

Brittany Preston is a community advocate, parent leader and mother of six who has spent years working alongside teachers, parents and students to strengthen neighborhood schools. Through her service as a Local School Council member, parent delegate and block club leader, she has worked directly with school communities to address local challenges. Her experience organizing families and advocating for students would ensure parents remain an important voice in school board decisions.

Therese Boyle is a longtime CPS educator and school psychologist with 35 years of experience serving students across Chicago's South Side. She comes from a family of educators and has dedicated her career to supporting student learning and well-being. Her decades of classroom and student support experience provide firsthand knowledge of the decisions that most directly affect students and educators.

Dr. Che "Rhymefest" Smith is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, nonprofit leader and current member of the Chicago Board of Education. Through his work with Art of Culture and his service on the Board, he has championed educational and community initiatives that connect students with opportunity through the arts. As a current member of the Chicago Board of Education, Smith has experience navigating the complex challenges facing CPS while working to expand opportunities for students. His combination of public service and community leadership reflects the independent judgment and thoughtful governance needed to help move Chicago Public Schools forward.

Patrick Watson is a lifelong Chicagoan with deep roots on the South Side and more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. A graduate of Chicago Vocational High School and the parent of a CPS graduate, Watson has also spent more than a decade working in local government alongside Chicago aldermen. His background in financial management, municipal government and community service would bring a practical perspective and a strong commitment to responsible stewardship of Chicago Public Schools.