In this series, we recognize families as key partners on a student’s success team. We interviewed family members who are navigating the college choice process with their 12th grade students. In each story, families reflect on their intergenerational education journeys and recommendations for improving education systems
Ms. Sutherlin
Ms. Sutherlin is a Black Chicago Public School (CPS) alumni who grew up in the Westside of Chicago in Austin. She now lives on the Southside with her husband and three daughters. Her eldest daughter is a college student at a private HBCU (Historically Black College or University), her middle child is getting ready to graduate high school, and her youngest child is a high school sophomore.
Señora Joaquín grew up in Mexico with dreams of becoming a teacher. There she raised her 3 children while her husband worked in the United States. Three years ago she and her children moved to Chicago to be a united family. Her children are enrolled in a Neighborhood high school on the west side of Chicago: her oldest son is a senior, her daughter is a sophomore, and her youngest daughter is a 9th grader. “La alegría y el gusto de estar aquí en Estados Unidos, pues desde que estamos ya juntos como familia.” (The happiness and joy of being here in the United States, now we are united like a family.)
Ms. Jones- Reddick is a Black Chicago Public Schools (CPS) alum who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. She was the first in her family to attend college and now works full time as a school clerk and office manager at a CPS elementary school.
Dwayne is a current senior at a neighborhood high school on the South Side. He enjoys listening to music, sports and mentoring his little brother on how to navigate life.
Señora Bahena grew up in Guerrero, México. In Mexico, she attained a bachelor’s in computer science and worked briefly in a government office in her town until she decided to move to Chicago. She has been in Chicago for 25 years and lives on the northside with her husband and 3 daughters.
Mr. Keith grew up in Muskegon, Michigan and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and three children. He has one son who recently graduated with his bachelors, a daughter who is a senior in high school, and another daughter who is in fourth grade. Mr. Keith is a former CPS postsecondary coach and is now the Senior Director of Community Collaboration at a university where he also teaches juniors and seniors.
Ms.Watts is a Black Chicago Public Schools (CPS) alum who grew up on the Southeast side of Chicago. She is a proud first-generation college graduate and has continued to pursue higher education to this day. Ms.Watts currently works in medical billing and coding. She lives in the city with her husband and two children, a daughter currently enrolled in college and her son who is a senior in high school.
