One on One with Brizard

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CPS Chief Executive officer JC Brizard stands with Mayor Rahm Emanuel on April 18th when the then mayor-elect announced the new CPS Leadership Team.
CPS Chief Executive officer JC Brizard stands with Mayor Rahm Emanuel on April 18th when the then mayor-elect announced the new CPS Leadership Team.

by Thelma Sardin

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the country. This week, Jean -Claude (JC) Brizard takes over the public school system becoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The 47 year old is married and the father of two is a professional educator with over twenty years of experience. As a former teacher, principal, regional superintendent, and superintendent, he understands the many problems that plague Chicagos schools.

A Haitian- American, Brizards parents were both educators. Growing up, he was taught the importance of education.

Before coming to Chicago, he spent three years as superintendent of the Rochester City School District in Rochester, NY. He describes his primary leadership style as collaborative; however, he said he adapts depending on the situation. Sometime you have to take charge, he said.

Taking charge also means realizing the type of curriculum and programs that will be beneficial to students.

Jobs of the future such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, math and technology) are rapidly growing in the global economy. According to Brizard, students have to be ready to learn the skills necessary for these types of jobs.

For a child to really do well in the global economy, they have to really understand how to use information. Too often in schools, kids tend to be passive learners. In the real world its about team work, collaboration, accessing and using information, adding, It goes back to curriculum. It goes back to whether or not what we teach really [prepares] kids [for] secondary readiness work and at the same time, making sure that our curriculum is 21st century.

Many believe preparing students for jobs of the future is critical; however, the role of parents in a childs education is essential for their future.

During his mayoral campaign, Mayor Emanuel constantly pushed for the need for parents to be engaged in their childrens educational attainment. Brizard shares the mayors sentiments about parental involvement.

Parents are critical because they provide that third leg of support that so many of our children need. The school is one part, the child is another and the home and family have to be that third leg for them, he said.

Discipline is a key issue in education. In a recent interview with the Chicago News Cooperative, Brizard said he does not believe in zero tolerance policies. In 1995, soon after former Mayor Richard M. Daley gained control of CPS from the Illinois General Assembly, a zero tolerance discipline policy was enacted.

Without proper discipline, you cant teach. In terms of zero tolerance policies, Ive never seen them work. All it does is increase [the] level of kids who are being arrested or suspended, etc. Children need to learn positive behaviors. Too often we punish negative behavior but dont teach children how to do things properly. Zero tolerance policies seldom teach positive behaviors, they just punish, said Brizard.

Brizard recently met with Chicago Teachers Union president, Karen Lewis. Our initial impression is that we have our work cut out for us. Its going to be a challenge, Lewis told NBC 5 News about the meeting. Brizard said he plans to have a collaborative relationship with Lewis.

The lines of communication must remain robust and open.I asked Karen when I met with her at CTU headquarters, When you agree or disagree, pick up the phone and call me,, he said. Brizard said that he has found that the best way to accomplish things is by talking it out.

Brizard says there are many things he would like to accomplish as the new CEO of CPS. He named his top two goals.

[First], engage and have the community take a real ownership in the schools. A lot of people are very interested in the schools and want to get involved. The second is begin to really push the measurement of success by looking at college persistence. Brizard explained that some students who go away to college often return home their second year. He wants to ensure that once students leave for college they remain until graduation.

With over 20 years of experience as an educator, the Citizen asked Brizard if he had an education philosophy. He said he has many philosophies but he strongly believes students should be owners of their education.

Children have to take an active role in their education, he said.

When asked how children can be inspired to learn Brizard replied, Every kid wants to learn. I have yet to meet a child that says I dont want to learn.

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