Cheli M. Thomas, Ph.D.
www.chelithomasphd.com
EDUCATION
Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL.
Ph.D. Educational Leadership
Dissertation: Black Youth Identity Development: Media Influence in a Colorblind Society
Committee: Chair, Pamela J. Konkol; Members, Sophia Rodriguez, Amy Swain
Ball State University, Muncie, IN.
M.A.E. Educational Administration and Supervision
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN.
B.S. General Education Studies
CERTIFICATION AND ENDORSEMENTS
Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent Endorsement
Illinois State Board of Education General Administrative License Illinois Type 75
Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL. Teaching Online Certification
Illinois State Board of Education Principal Evaluation Training (PERA)
West 40 Intermediate Service Center Teachscape Training for Teacher Evaluation
About Learning, Inc., Wauconda, IL. 4Mat Foundations Site Trainer
Arizona Department of Education Administrative License K-12 (expired)
PUBLICATIONS
Thomas, C.M. (2016). Black youth identity development: Media influence in a colorblind society. (Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest. (Accession Number 10253247).
Thomas, C.M. (In Press, Educational Studies, Routledge). Society and the Classroom: Teaching Truths and Bridging Diversity in a Discordant Era.
Thomas, C.M. (under review). Assessing Black youth identity development in a colorblind society.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Scholar/Activist
- 2016 – Present
- Educational leadership
- Social justice, equity, diversity & inclusion
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Youth identity development
- Post-racial ideology
- Racial-ethnic identity and socialization
- Navigating complex metaphors and racial discourse in post-racial contexts
Independent Researcher 2016-Present
University Affiliation – Concordia University Chicago. Sociopolitical trends impacting equity, diversity and inclusion; Black youth identity development, toxic discourse in US society.
Peer Reviewer 2017- Present
Providing substantive assessment of professional submissions for scholarly contribution to the fields of social science and education
Blogger/Writer 2016 – Present
Topics include teaching and leading for social justice, truth in modern classroom discourse, critical conversations on race and racism, colorblind ideology, critical White studies, and politics.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
2012-2013 Chicago Public Schools, Interim STEM Pilot Site Program Manager
PreK-8 Principal
2005 – 2012 South / West Suburban Cook County Illinois, and Northwest Indiana
K-12 evaluation, strategic planning, and educator coaching; Principal and teacher preparation; Cognitive and social/emotional youth development
- Student college and career readiness
- Social/emotional conditions for learning
- Equality of access to public education and related services
- At-risk and under-served children and adolescents
- Curriculum and instruction
- Student Information Analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
Principal Preparation
2007 – 2010 Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL. Administrative Collaborator
Collaborated with program leaders to develop and provide integrated support for emergent principals. In this accredited program, new principals were guided through their first years of administration with professional development, workshops and on-site job shadowing.
2002 – 2005 Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL.
Interactive Teaching and Learning (ITL) Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) Specialist, Coach/Trainer
Developed and facilitated standards-based curriculum, instruction and school leadership support for teachers and administrators within CPS schools. Evaluated the needs of each school site and its staff. Designed support services to address deficiencies based on identified needs, as well as NCLB and ISBE school improvement targets. Onsite support included: 1) coaching administrators in the implementation and training of school leadership teams; 2) teaching curriculum and instruction; 3) working with vertical and horizontal teams in student assessment and curriculum implementation; and 4) modeling best practices, teaching techniques, and multiple assessments. Offsite support included: 1) professional development in school and teacher leadership; 2) data driven decision making and resource allocation; and 3) school improvement planning, preparation, and evaluation.
TEACHING
2004 – 2005 Office of Teacher Re-certification and Professional Standards: Learning Actively by Standards (L.A.B.S.), Chicago, IL. Course taught Classroom Management for Teachers and Administrators
1989 – 1993 Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Classroom teacher, junior high
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Thomas, C.M. (2017). Putting Social Justice into Action: Helping Students to Develop the Capacity for Critical Thinking. Chicago, IL: Alternative session facilitator at the Mid-Western Regional Educational Research Association
Thomas, C.M. (2016). “Black Youth Identity Development: Media Influence in a Colorblind Society.” Seattle, WA: Paper presenter at the American Educational Studies Association Annual Meeting
Thomas, C.M. (2015). Racial-ethnic Self-identity and Oppression among Marginalized Youth. San Antonio, TX: Paper presenter at the American Educational Studies Association Annual Meeting
VOLUNTEER
American Education Research Association, Peer reviewer, 2018
Mid-Western Educational Research Association, Submission peer reviewer, 2018, 2017
American Educational Studies Association, Graduate student volunteer, conference registration management, 2016, 2015
Chicago Freedom Movement, Member, Activist, 2005-2006
Coalition for Evidence–Based Policy: Washington D.C., Member, 2004
Policy Academy: Developing Systems of Care for Children with Mental Health Needs, Participant, 2004
PANEL DISCUSSANT
Teaching as Possibility: Becoming a Critical Educator in an Age of Compliance. (Guest panelist of P. Hinchey) Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, IL. 2013
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS
Thomas, C.M. (2009). Seven Modes of Discipline. Professional Development workshop. Maywood-Melrose Park SD 89, Maywood, IL.
Thomas, C.M. (2010). Acuity Training for District Administrators. School City of Hammond, Hammond, IN.
Thomas, C.M., Pietrzak, M., Williams, W., Ortiz, T. (2004). Focus on Standards Based Curriculum and Instruction. ITL. Chicago, IL.
Thomas, C.M., Pietrzak, M. (2004). Barton School Retreat. ITL, Lisle, IL.
Boswell, C.A., Pietrzak, M., Williams, W., Carry, D.D., Thomas, C.M. Ortiz, T. (2004). Revitalizing Building Leadership: Reflections, Responses, and Resolutions, Focus on ISAT: A Three-Part Workshop Series. ITL. Lisle, IL.
Carry, D.D., Thomas, C.M. (2004). Rhythm and Language of Rhyme. Early Childhood Centers of Education Network Meeting. Chicago, IL.
Carry, D.D., Thomas, C.M. (2004). Story Dictation and Dramatization. Trainer, Early Childhood Centers of Education Network Meeting. Chicago, IL.
Boswell, C.A., Pietrzak, M., Williams, W., Carry, D.D., Thomas, C.M. (2003). Creating Interactive Readers While Raising Test Scores, ITL, Chicago, IL.
Boswell, C.M. Pietrzak, M., Thomas, C. M. (2003). Building Leadership: Roles, Styles and Relationships. ITL Training Retreat, St. Charles, IL.
Pietrzak, M., Williams, W., Boswell, C.M., Ortiz, T., Thomas, C.M. (2003). Focus on ISAT: A Three- Part Workshop Series. ITL, Chicago, IL.
CONFERENCE EXHIBITOR
Artistic Design Construction, Inc., Owner, operator
Texas Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Conference. Dallas, TX. October 1996
Northeast Early Literacy and Reading Recovery Institute. Danvers, MA. October 1996
Illinois Reading Recovery Conference. Chicago, IL. January 1995
National Reading Recovery Conference. Columbus, OH. February 1996
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Education Research Association (current member)
American Educational Studies Association (current member)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (current member)
Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (past member)
Illinois Principal’s Association (past member)
Mid-Western Educational Research Association (current member)
Society for the Study of Social Problems (current member)