April 8, 2024 • 19 mins
iHeartMedia Chicago presents the Women Inspire Chicago Podcast hosted by Angela Ingram, iHeart Chicago's Senior Vice President of Public Engagement and produced by iHeart Chicago’s Jasmine Bennett. Angela hosts inspiring conversations with some of Chicago’s top women executives as they share their personal stories of success, including their triumphs, detours, pitfalls and challenges.
Alene Mason is the Chicago Public Schools Network 9 Chief of Schools. She is a highly skilled, passionate, motivated, and driven leader who works tirelessly to make a positive impact both inside and outside of the school community. Alene was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and is a proud product of Chicago Public Schools. She has devoted her entire professional career to education as a Teacher Leader, Network Math and Science Coach, Assistant Principal, Principal, Deputy Chief of Schools and Chief of Schools.
Alene’s 25-year career in education is fueled by her vision to help transform and change the lives of others. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuary Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Master of Arts from Saint Xavier University in Elementary Education and Master of Arts from Concordia University in School Leadership. Alene is nationally recognized as a Cahn Distinguished Principals Fellow and currently serves as a Cahn Alumni Advisor. She sees no barriers when it comes to transforming lives. This is not a job for her, but a ministry, combined with a mission of excellence.
Check It Out and Be Inspired! The Women Inspire Chicago Podcast is sponsored by Potbelly.
Alene Mason on Social:
Facebook: Facebook.com/AleneMason
Instagram: @masonalene
Twitter/X:
@alenemason
@ChiPubSchools
LinkedIn: Alene Mason
Alene Mason is the Chicago Public Schools Network 9 Chief of Schools. She is a highly skilled, passionate, motivated, and driven leader who works tirelessly to make a positive impact both inside and outside of the school community. Alene was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and is a proud product of Chicago Public Schools. She has devoted her entire professional career to education as a Teacher Leader, Network Math and Science Coach, Assistant Principal, Principal, Deputy Chief of Schools and Chief of Schools.
Alene’s 25-year career in education is fueled by her vision to help transform and change the lives of others. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Actuary Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Master of Arts from Saint Xavier University in Elementary Education and Master of Arts from Concordia University in School Leadership. Alene is nationally recognized as a Cahn Distinguished Principals Fellow and currently serves as a Cahn Alumni Advisor. She sees no barriers when it comes to transforming lives. This is not a job for her, but a ministry, combined with a mission of excellence.
Check It Out and Be Inspired! The Women Inspire Chicago Podcast is sponsored by Potbelly.
Alene Mason on Social:
Facebook: Facebook.com/AleneMason
Instagram: @masonalene
Twitter/X:
@alenemason
@ChiPubSchools
LinkedIn: Alene Mason
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
I Heard Media Chicago presents the WomenInspire Chicago podcast. Hosted by I Heard
Chicago's SVP of Public Engagement, AngelaIngram and produced by Her Chicago's Jasmin Bennett.
Angela hosts inspiring conversations with some ofChicago's top women executives. Aileen Mason,
Chicago Public Schools Network nine Chief ofSchools, joined Angela for her latest
episode. Check it out and beInspired. Aileen Mason, Welcome to Women
(00:22):
Inspire Chicago. Thank you, Thankyou so much. Angela. So,
the last time that I saw youwas at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum,
where former President Obama celebrated the fifteenthanniversary of his two thousand and eight election.
And I understand you had a littlesurprise that day. You want to
(00:42):
share it with us? Yes,of course. Well, because I have
four schools that are in my brotherKeeper's alliance with President Obama Obama Foundation,
I was asked to introduce the president. Oooo. Yes, yes, you
can imagine. I was floored anddefinitely humbly honored to be able to introduce
him. But what I didn't realizeI was facilitating an entire discussion with him.
(01:04):
Hey, Ayleen, and you believethat Jazzmine. I was so excited
for you. I just remember seeingyour face that day and you were just
so lit up and you say,guess what happened today? Then I saw
the post on social and just congratulations. Well, we're so glad that you
took the time to visit Women InspireChicago after that feat. I mean,
we're honored. Amazing. Yeah,we're honored that you decided to stop by
(01:29):
and see you know us after Iappreciate the opportunity. Well why don't you
share a little bit about your backgroundand education. Well, my background in
education. Education is a second careerfor me. So coming into education,
I started out as being just asubstitute teacher, moved to a cadre,
working myself up to teacher, teacherleader, math science coach, assistant principal
(01:49):
and principal, and then deputy andthen chief deputy chief of schools. Now,
so I've kind of taken the traditionalstare step approach, but I've been
through rank of going up the ladderfor education. How many schools in the
network that you oversee? Now Ioversee twenty seven schools, all in the
High Park, Woodline, Dearborn,Fulleton communities, Well class is definitely in
(02:12):
session when and tell us a littlebit about that phrase. I know we've
talked about that before when you hearclasses in session, tell our audience about
what that means to you. Well, that means to me now, Like
on the other end of it,I've always felt the need to tutor and
help people, and so as akid at nine years old, I was
a tutor for my cousins during thesummer when I would go down for summer
(02:34):
break. And so really being thatmath and science tutor for my cousins really
just kind of, I guess,laid the foundation, even though I didn't
realize it was laying the foundation ofthe work for education. So when I
became an actual science and had theopportunity to go sub I realized that was
the calling for me. So Iunderstand that this is a second career for
you. But your first thought wasto be an engineer, a computer engineer,
(02:57):
and not an educator. So whatchanged your mind along the way.
Well, the opportunity of taking abreak. After my computer engineering experience at
University of Illinois and Champa A.Banna, I have my bachelor's at Actual
Science because I switched majors in actualscience. And when I graduated, I
was just kind of waiting. Iwas a little burned out in December and
did decided on one of my mother'sclients told me to do some setting until
(03:21):
I wanted to start the job,and I did. And I fell in
love the first day, the firsttime in the classroom, really seeing the
kids, having an opportunity to interactwith them, teaching an English class actually,
and realized that it was something aboutthe children. And that day I
went home and had an oh moment, I think I'm changing. I think
I'm going into education. That's whatI told my mom. I told her
(03:44):
I liked it, so she supportedthat, and the rest is history.
And you haven't looked back. Ihave not looked back. Here's what I
find that is most inspiring is thatyou really started from ground zero, yes,
and worked her all the way upto chief of schools for a network
of twenty seven different schools for ChicagoPublic Schools. What a blessing. What
(04:05):
are your defining values? Well,my defining values one is of service.
Definitely raised to serve. That's apillar in what I do. In order
to lead, you have to serve, So that's one of the things.
Really making an impact to change people'slives is my driving force. That's also
kind of part of my legacy.And then just being a woman of entigty
(04:25):
and faith. Those are my values. I really have the core of who
I am and it kind of isjust displayed in everything that I do.
And looking at your bio, Inoticed no barriers when it comes to transforming
lives. Tack about that a littlebit, well, I believe it's something
my mother taught me of not havingbarriers and things getting in the way.
So she always kind of fuelled mewith encouragement and it was my biggest cheerleader
(04:48):
that if I put my mind intoit, I can do it and don't
let things stand in a way.So that approach to life really kind of
guided how I saw education. IfI needed something for my children and I
did not have the resources for theschool to have it, then I went
to outsource through grants and resources andreally networking with people to pull in the
(05:09):
resources that were needed because I hadto meet the need of making sure that
my stings were equipped to be ableto go conquer and really sore. So
what challenges have you faced along theway. We know you've had detours,
you've changed, you changed it changedcareers along the way. Early on we
talk about some of those challenges andhow you were able to overcome them.
(05:30):
So my first challenge of rejection,I would say, would be when I
was nineteen and I was in computerengineering. Led a department and my entire
department quit, and my supervisor toldme, that's okay, because I believe
in you and you can do this, and so I basically led a group
of temps at a temp agency toactually make the most profit that summer.
But that was a lesson for meand a barrier because it was rejection.
(05:53):
It was the first time that Ireally faced head on rejection by something that
I was passionate about. So itreally kind of shaped who I became because
it taught me how to make somethingout of nothing, definitely really quick too,
and so that really yielded itself toother opportunities. When I switched my
major. One of the things Ididn't want to let my parents down because
(06:15):
I was changing my major into educationafter that first experience, and by that
time, my dad was deceased andthere was my mom's approval I was seeking.
But when she gave me Her blessedand said, whatever you need to
do for you, I'm supporting youone hundred percent, and so that helped
me. So it took away thatfeeling of disappointment. And then even in
going into the principalship, there weremany times where I felt like quitting.
(06:36):
I felt like challenges were coming andstacked up against me. The harder I
was working, the more I feltlike I had a wall up against me.
And so part of that was reallysurrounding myself with good leaders and mentors
to really help me to see thevalue in what I was doing and really
trying to take a strategic approach togetting everybody on board to make a difference.
(06:57):
What is the thing that flows throughyour leaderships success? I would say
collaborative leadership, collaboration service. Ialso would say just treating people the way
you want to be treated. Iwant people to fill my leadership and to
feel it as being supportive and reallybeing able to see everyone as being successful.
And that's one of the drives withmy twenty seven leaders of really letting
(07:18):
them know that I believe in themand whatever they need, I help support
them and build them up where theyneed to be. Built up so that
we all reach a common goal atthe end. My sister was I use
this word loosely a retired educator becauseshe retired and then went back. So
I have a heart for educators andcertainly for children, and I can see
(07:38):
the impact that educators making the livesof our children every day. And sometimes
I don't think people really understand thatimpact. That you spend more time with
our children every day than the parentsdo. And so what a blessing When
you look back over the impact thatyou've been able to have at every level
(07:58):
of your success. You see Isee students who have now are grown,
who still reach out to me tosay thank you for seeing me, thank
you for believing in me when nobodyelse did, you know, I see
people being inspired. I see justmy words or the way I made people
feel as a teacher really took root, and now they are grown with their
(08:20):
own children saying I remember you.You were my favorite teacher. And well
not just favorite teacher just because ofjust the cliche, oh that's my favorite
teacher. But everybody comes back tothe way I made them feel, the
way I made them feel, Itook them under my wing as if they
were my own, and I wantedto provide the best of me so I
could get the best of them andthen whatever they were short or short falls
(08:41):
came, I wanted to make surethat I didn't have any barriers for them,
So I tried to eliminate the barriersthat they may have faced to be
successful. And I think that themeof just by any means to make sure
that the person is successful. That'skind of throughout, so whether that's with
my leaders and they share things withme and we go out and find those
things and resources to really help themto really define their leadership. And I'm
(09:03):
really really big about student centered leadership. How do we help make students feel
that we have their back? Andthat's important to me because that feels and
feeds into their lives even beyond ourreach when they're gone from elementary school,
high school, and so forth.I had the privilege of watching you work
with the partnership that iHeart Media Chicagohad with one of the schools when you
(09:26):
were principal, Scott Joplin Elementary,and it was just amazing the heart and
the soul that you put into thosestudents and your desire as much as our
desire was for them to have amusic program. I think we all said,
how can you be named Scott Joplinand not have a school music program?
But really to see the encouragement thatyou provided for those students with their
(09:46):
desire to have a band program,and you work tirelessly with us to make
that a success. And so weare so grateful to you. And I
can't imagine those students now because thatwas what's seven eighty years ago. Now
they're in college or broke, someonecould be married and have their own families.
But the impact that I could seethat you were having with those students,
it just was amazing. And itbrings me to hearing you say that
(10:09):
this is not a job for you, but it's a ministry. Yes,
and it's combined with a mission ofexcellence. Yes, sure your thoughts behind
that. So it comes back tomy career change. Everything about engineering,
the actual science, is what Iwanted. No one could tell me I
would not be a computer engineer.I knew it in seventh grade, and
I knew it was going to happen. But the moment I began to see
(10:33):
that passion in that classroom while Iwas waiting, it allowed me to see
God's will for my life. Andso as I began to kind of go
down that path, it's shaped two. I became next. And so I
wanted to make sure that whatever Iput my hand on from that point that
I was of service in every aspect. I recalled signing a contract for Joplin's
(10:54):
principal. I believe in that hallwaythat's like, what are you gonna do
for me? Now? What areyou going to do for these students now?
And so I wanted to make surethat I had an impact that would
reach and be that cheerleader for students, just like I had at home,
to be able to encourage when you'redown, to be able to inspire when
you need that extra push, tobe able to give that confidence to let
you know that you can do whateveryou put your mind to. I wanted
(11:16):
to share that with my students aswell and everybody else that I impacted.
So those are the things that reallykind of drove me in that direction of
understanding when it was God's will,everything became easy and easy in that the
doors were made open. Now,there was some test and trials, test
and trials, but it allowed meto feel like I was living in purpose.
(11:37):
So because of that, that's whyI became a ministry. Then now
I saw myself as a vessel,a vessel to be poured into, to
pour out to others to really helpthem accomplish their goals and dreams. So
what is your advice for the newgeneration of leaders? Like Jasmine Bennett,
who is the producer of Women InspireChicago, also hosts her own radio show
(11:58):
on one O three five k Seieland she has several other positions, but
you know, and I tell herall the time, you know, it's
all leading to, you know,that ultimate goal, whatever that is,
and whatever she desires. What's youradvice to Jasmine and all of the new
generation of leaders? I would definitelysay, Number one, stay true to
you. Stay true to you.You have something special inside of you that
(12:20):
the world needs to see, sodon't hide it. Surround yourself with people
that are like minds that are honest, and you can be transparent and vulnerable
with because that helps shape you,because you need to vent to sometimes right,
we try to be Superwoman, butyou know even Batman had to go
into bat Cave and sometimes right,so you know, you need to be
able to surround yourself so you couldbe poured into so to have someone to
(12:43):
begin to help shape you without compromisingwho you are and who your values and
goals. And then the next thingI would say is speak life into yourself.
As I've shared before, I've hada journal a lot, so I
wanted a speak life journal. Soeverything that I wanted to manifest, I
write down and I do it monthby month. In February, this is
what I wanted to manifest. InMarch, this is what I want to
(13:05):
manifest. And each end of themonth, I go back to do a
checklist to see did I meet thatdid that thing manifest? And I begin
to speak that over my life becauseI believe that the more that you put
something in front of you, itdrives me. And so then each day
of that month, I'm trying tosay, okay, so I got to
get to this a by the endof the month, I want to do
this. And some things that Idon't get a chance to accomplish or manifest,
(13:26):
I carry them over to the nextmonth. So I give myself grace,
like that's okay, but look atwhat all you did at this time.
And so then you speak life continuouslybecause that becomes your encouragement when you
need it behind closed doors and youdon't those friends might not be around at
that time, but you can beginto read and just see how you're speaking
over yourself. I think that's sodifficult for a lot of us, is
(13:46):
that we look at the things wehave not done, and we don't celebrate
the things that we've done. Absolutely, and that is key. And I
also love the fact that you giveyourself grace. Yes, as women,
we really because we really don't dothat enough, and so we beat ourselves
up constantly about oh I would wishI could have should have done, without
(14:09):
saying, you know, that's okay. I had ten goals, I made
five of those, which just rollthem over to the next month. Yes,
that gives us the peace that weneed and the peace of mind.
More importantly, when you think aboutthe future of women in leadership, what
do you see? I see aninfusion injection of love, peace, strength,
(14:30):
vulnerability and being real. I feellike in this age as of where
right now, many people have justkind of put on a facade because for
so long we had to be strong, we had to be tough, you
know, and all of these things, and the generation of leaders coming they
need to see what's reality, right, So being able to know that there
(14:50):
are some vulnerable times and vulnerable moments. There are times where you have to
take a step and tap out becauseyou need to save yourself sometimes because because
pushing and keep driving in and weset to buy higher and higher and higher,
because as women, sometimes we comein at a deficit, and so
we see that deficit model of Okay, well, I have a lot of
on top of me because of whatmy peers may think and how I should
(15:13):
be able to lead. And manytimes we don't look inward and say,
but I'm human and I'm still goingto be the best. I'm still going
to go and work hard for whatI want to accomplish. And it's okay
if I have barriers along the way, and I work through my barriers and
I keep pushing and keep moving havingthe people cheering me on on the side.
So I think, just really lookingforward to women and leadership of being
(15:35):
able to be their true selves andletting the world see all of this wrapped
up together is still powerful. Amen. Amen, Jasmine, I bet you
have a point for us. Jasminealways has an inspirational boy. Just a
quote I write poetry. Okay,Well, first I just wanted to say,
(15:56):
like, as a fellow CPS kid, I really appreciate that, Thank
you. I appreciate that you putsuch an emphasis on motivating and being like
their biggest cheerleader in support because wedon't always get that when we're young,
and that's when we need it themost. So I just wanted to say
thank you for that. I lovethat you're doing that. And my quote
by Clay Bedford is you can teacha student a lesson for a day,
(16:18):
but if you can teach him tolearn by creating curiosity, he will continue
the learning process as long as helives. So that's yeah. I may
man to you saying being a vessel, that's all of what that is.
Thank you, thank you legacy mhm, legacy yep, it's really all
about legacy. And we use thisphrase, you know, sometimes kind of
(16:38):
loosely, but we really are chargedwith leaving the world better than we found
it. Absolutely, that really isour responsibility. As we start to wrap
up today, what who inspires you? Well, I definitely would saying my
mother over the years. Mother,this is ease now, but she inspired
me because she was myn Chia laterall along through life, my grandmar as
(17:00):
well and now as I am postmom, and I have circle of women that
continue to fuel into me. ButI'm inspired by others doing well. If
there's something that I've done, somethingthat I've said some time that I've taken
to help support someone and I seethem thrive, that brings me great joy
and that inspires me to keep movingand keep going because that's how I measure
(17:22):
my impact. So continuing to seepeople to be them bestselves, to find
those opportunities to be better and reallymove and become those movers, movers and
shakers, that gives me joy.And if it's something that they can say
that I did or plant a seed, even if it's twenty years ago,
that makes me feel that my livingis not in vain and that is so
true. I mean, I thinkoften about my kindergarten teacher, yeah,
(17:45):
and my ninth grade teacher. Thosewere the two that had the greatest impact
on me, and it's amazing.But a part of their value system really
makes up who I am, absolutelyso, and it does matter. And
thank you for your service. Weknow that the lives that you have touched
are far better off than they wouldhave been had you not passed their way.
(18:07):
So we really appreciate your commitment tothe children of Chicago and really across
the country, because the ones thatyou're teaching, they're just you know,
they're gonna grow up and they're gonnamarry, and they're gonna have children,
and they're gonna move and it's allgonna come back to something that Aileen Mason
said or did or caused something tohappen in their lives to make up who
(18:29):
they are. Whether they're ten orwhether they're sixty, they'll be sitting somewhere
saying I remember when, and that'sa good thing. Thank you so much,
Aileen for being with us today forthe opportunity. I definitely am blessed
to even be in your presence becauseit's truly about women inspiring. I'm inspired
by you all every day. Sothank you, thank you. We appreciate
it. Thanks for listening to theWomen Inspire Chicago podcast hosted by Angela Ingram,
(18:53):
presented by iHeartMedia Chicago, and producedby Jasmine Bennett. Sponsored by pot
Belly. Feed your group from smallto large with pot Belly catering. Potbelly,
you Gotta Get It Hot
I Heard Media Chicago presents the WomenInspire Chicago podcast. Hosted by I Heard
Chicago's SVP of Public Engagement, AngelaIngram and produced by Her Chicago's Jasmin Bennett.
Angela hosts inspiring conversations with some ofChicago's top women executives. Aileen Mason,
Chicago Public Schools Network nine Chief ofSchools, joined Angela for her latest
episode. Check it out and beInspired. Aileen Mason, Welcome to Women
(00:22):
Inspire Chicago. Thank you, Thankyou so much. Angela. So,
the last time that I saw youwas at the Obama Foundation Democracy Forum,
where former President Obama celebrated the fifteenthanniversary of his two thousand and eight election.
And I understand you had a littlesurprise that day. You want to
(00:42):
share it with us? Yes,of course. Well, because I have
four schools that are in my brotherKeeper's alliance with President Obama Obama Foundation,
I was asked to introduce the president. Oooo. Yes, yes, you
can imagine. I was floored anddefinitely humbly honored to be able to introduce
him. But what I didn't realizeI was facilitating an entire discussion with him.
(01:04):
Hey, Ayleen, and you believethat Jazzmine. I was so excited
for you. I just remember seeingyour face that day and you were just
so lit up and you say,guess what happened today? Then I saw
the post on social and just congratulations. Well, we're so glad that you
took the time to visit Women InspireChicago after that feat. I mean,
we're honored. Amazing. Yeah,we're honored that you decided to stop by
(01:29):
and see you know us after Iappreciate the opportunity. Well why don't you
share a little bit about your backgroundand education. Well, my background in
education. Education is a second careerfor me. So coming into education,
I started out as being just asubstitute teacher, moved to a cadre,
working myself up to teacher, teacherleader, math science coach, assistant principal
(01:49):
and principal, and then deputy andthen chief deputy chief of schools. Now,
so I've kind of taken the traditionalstare step approach, but I've been
through rank of going up the ladderfor education. How many schools in the
network that you oversee? Now Ioversee twenty seven schools, all in the
High Park, Woodline, Dearborn,Fulleton communities, Well class is definitely in
(02:12):
session when and tell us a littlebit about that phrase. I know we've
talked about that before when you hearclasses in session, tell our audience about
what that means to you. Well, that means to me now, Like
on the other end of it,I've always felt the need to tutor and
help people, and so as akid at nine years old, I was
a tutor for my cousins during thesummer when I would go down for summer
(02:34):
break. And so really being thatmath and science tutor for my cousins really
just kind of, I guess,laid the foundation, even though I didn't
realize it was laying the foundation ofthe work for education. So when I
became an actual science and had theopportunity to go sub I realized that was
the calling for me. So Iunderstand that this is a second career for
you. But your first thought wasto be an engineer, a computer engineer,
(02:57):
and not an educator. So whatchanged your mind along the way.
Well, the opportunity of taking abreak. After my computer engineering experience at
University of Illinois and Champa A.Banna, I have my bachelor's at Actual
Science because I switched majors in actualscience. And when I graduated, I
was just kind of waiting. Iwas a little burned out in December and
did decided on one of my mother'sclients told me to do some setting until
(03:21):
I wanted to start the job,and I did. And I fell in
love the first day, the firsttime in the classroom, really seeing the
kids, having an opportunity to interactwith them, teaching an English class actually,
and realized that it was something aboutthe children. And that day I
went home and had an oh moment, I think I'm changing. I think
I'm going into education. That's whatI told my mom. I told her
(03:44):
I liked it, so she supportedthat, and the rest is history.
And you haven't looked back. Ihave not looked back. Here's what I
find that is most inspiring is thatyou really started from ground zero, yes,
and worked her all the way upto chief of schools for a network
of twenty seven different schools for ChicagoPublic Schools. What a blessing. What
(04:05):
are your defining values? Well,my defining values one is of service.
Definitely raised to serve. That's apillar in what I do. In order
to lead, you have to serve, So that's one of the things.
Really making an impact to change people'slives is my driving force. That's also
kind of part of my legacy.And then just being a woman of entigty
(04:25):
and faith. Those are my values. I really have the core of who
I am and it kind of isjust displayed in everything that I do.
And looking at your bio, Inoticed no barriers when it comes to transforming
lives. Tack about that a littlebit, well, I believe it's something
my mother taught me of not havingbarriers and things getting in the way.
So she always kind of fuelled mewith encouragement and it was my biggest cheerleader
(04:48):
that if I put my mind intoit, I can do it and don't
let things stand in a way.So that approach to life really kind of
guided how I saw education. IfI needed something for my children and I
did not have the resources for theschool to have it, then I went
to outsource through grants and resources andreally networking with people to pull in the
(05:09):
resources that were needed because I hadto meet the need of making sure that
my stings were equipped to be ableto go conquer and really sore. So
what challenges have you faced along theway. We know you've had detours,
you've changed, you changed it changedcareers along the way. Early on we
talk about some of those challenges andhow you were able to overcome them.
(05:30):
So my first challenge of rejection,I would say, would be when I
was nineteen and I was in computerengineering. Led a department and my entire
department quit, and my supervisor toldme, that's okay, because I believe
in you and you can do this, and so I basically led a group
of temps at a temp agency toactually make the most profit that summer.
But that was a lesson for meand a barrier because it was rejection.
(05:53):
It was the first time that Ireally faced head on rejection by something that
I was passionate about. So itreally kind of shaped who I became because
it taught me how to make somethingout of nothing, definitely really quick too,
and so that really yielded itself toother opportunities. When I switched my
major. One of the things Ididn't want to let my parents down because
(06:15):
I was changing my major into educationafter that first experience, and by that
time, my dad was deceased andthere was my mom's approval I was seeking.
But when she gave me Her blessedand said, whatever you need to
do for you, I'm supporting youone hundred percent, and so that helped
me. So it took away thatfeeling of disappointment. And then even in
going into the principalship, there weremany times where I felt like quitting.
(06:36):
I felt like challenges were coming andstacked up against me. The harder I
was working, the more I feltlike I had a wall up against me.
And so part of that was reallysurrounding myself with good leaders and mentors
to really help me to see thevalue in what I was doing and really
trying to take a strategic approach togetting everybody on board to make a difference.
(06:57):
What is the thing that flows throughyour leaderships success? I would say
collaborative leadership, collaboration service. Ialso would say just treating people the way
you want to be treated. Iwant people to fill my leadership and to
feel it as being supportive and reallybeing able to see everyone as being successful.
And that's one of the drives withmy twenty seven leaders of really letting
(07:18):
them know that I believe in themand whatever they need, I help support
them and build them up where theyneed to be. Built up so that
we all reach a common goal atthe end. My sister was I use
this word loosely a retired educator becauseshe retired and then went back. So
I have a heart for educators andcertainly for children, and I can see
(07:38):
the impact that educators making the livesof our children every day. And sometimes
I don't think people really understand thatimpact. That you spend more time with
our children every day than the parentsdo. And so what a blessing When
you look back over the impact thatyou've been able to have at every level
(07:58):
of your success. You see Isee students who have now are grown,
who still reach out to me tosay thank you for seeing me, thank
you for believing in me when nobodyelse did, you know, I see
people being inspired. I see justmy words or the way I made people
feel as a teacher really took root, and now they are grown with their
(08:20):
own children saying I remember you.You were my favorite teacher. And well
not just favorite teacher just because ofjust the cliche, oh that's my favorite
teacher. But everybody comes back tothe way I made them feel, the
way I made them feel, Itook them under my wing as if they
were my own, and I wantedto provide the best of me so I
could get the best of them andthen whatever they were short or short falls
(08:41):
came, I wanted to make surethat I didn't have any barriers for them,
So I tried to eliminate the barriersthat they may have faced to be
successful. And I think that themeof just by any means to make sure
that the person is successful. That'skind of throughout, so whether that's with
my leaders and they share things withme and we go out and find those
things and resources to really help themto really define their leadership. And I'm
(09:03):
really really big about student centered leadership. How do we help make students feel
that we have their back? Andthat's important to me because that feels and
feeds into their lives even beyond ourreach when they're gone from elementary school,
high school, and so forth.I had the privilege of watching you work
with the partnership that iHeart Media Chicagohad with one of the schools when you
(09:26):
were principal, Scott Joplin Elementary,and it was just amazing the heart and
the soul that you put into thosestudents and your desire as much as our
desire was for them to have amusic program. I think we all said,
how can you be named Scott Joplinand not have a school music program?
But really to see the encouragement thatyou provided for those students with their
(09:46):
desire to have a band program,and you work tirelessly with us to make
that a success. And so weare so grateful to you. And I
can't imagine those students now because thatwas what's seven eighty years ago. Now
they're in college or broke, someonecould be married and have their own families.
But the impact that I could seethat you were having with those students,
it just was amazing. And itbrings me to hearing you say that
(10:09):
this is not a job for you, but it's a ministry. Yes,
and it's combined with a mission ofexcellence. Yes, sure your thoughts behind
that. So it comes back tomy career change. Everything about engineering,
the actual science, is what Iwanted. No one could tell me I
would not be a computer engineer.I knew it in seventh grade, and
I knew it was going to happen. But the moment I began to see
(10:33):
that passion in that classroom while Iwas waiting, it allowed me to see
God's will for my life. Andso as I began to kind of go
down that path, it's shaped two. I became next. And so I
wanted to make sure that whatever Iput my hand on from that point that
I was of service in every aspect. I recalled signing a contract for Joplin's
(10:54):
principal. I believe in that hallwaythat's like, what are you gonna do
for me? Now? What areyou going to do for these students now?
And so I wanted to make surethat I had an impact that would
reach and be that cheerleader for students, just like I had at home,
to be able to encourage when you'redown, to be able to inspire when
you need that extra push, tobe able to give that confidence to let
you know that you can do whateveryou put your mind to. I wanted
(11:16):
to share that with my students aswell and everybody else that I impacted.
So those are the things that reallykind of drove me in that direction of
understanding when it was God's will,everything became easy and easy in that the
doors were made open. Now,there was some test and trials, test
and trials, but it allowed meto feel like I was living in purpose.
(11:37):
So because of that, that's whyI became a ministry. Then now
I saw myself as a vessel,a vessel to be poured into, to
pour out to others to really helpthem accomplish their goals and dreams. So
what is your advice for the newgeneration of leaders? Like Jasmine Bennett,
who is the producer of Women InspireChicago, also hosts her own radio show
(11:58):
on one O three five k Seieland she has several other positions, but
you know, and I tell herall the time, you know, it's
all leading to, you know,that ultimate goal, whatever that is,
and whatever she desires. What's youradvice to Jasmine and all of the new
generation of leaders? I would definitelysay, Number one, stay true to
you. Stay true to you.You have something special inside of you that
(12:20):
the world needs to see, sodon't hide it. Surround yourself with people
that are like minds that are honest, and you can be transparent and vulnerable
with because that helps shape you,because you need to vent to sometimes right,
we try to be Superwoman, butyou know even Batman had to go
into bat Cave and sometimes right,so you know, you need to be
able to surround yourself so you couldbe poured into so to have someone to
(12:43):
begin to help shape you without compromisingwho you are and who your values and
goals. And then the next thingI would say is speak life into yourself.
As I've shared before, I've hada journal a lot, so I
wanted a speak life journal. Soeverything that I wanted to manifest, I
write down and I do it monthby month. In February, this is
what I wanted to manifest. InMarch, this is what I want to
(13:05):
manifest. And each end of themonth, I go back to do a
checklist to see did I meet thatdid that thing manifest? And I begin
to speak that over my life becauseI believe that the more that you put
something in front of you, itdrives me. And so then each day
of that month, I'm trying tosay, okay, so I got to
get to this a by the endof the month, I want to do
this. And some things that Idon't get a chance to accomplish or manifest,
(13:26):
I carry them over to the nextmonth. So I give myself grace,
like that's okay, but look atwhat all you did at this time.
And so then you speak life continuouslybecause that becomes your encouragement when you
need it behind closed doors and youdon't those friends might not be around at
that time, but you can beginto read and just see how you're speaking
over yourself. I think that's sodifficult for a lot of us, is
(13:46):
that we look at the things wehave not done, and we don't celebrate
the things that we've done. Absolutely, and that is key. And I
also love the fact that you giveyourself grace. Yes, as women,
we really because we really don't dothat enough, and so we beat ourselves
up constantly about oh I would wishI could have should have done, without
(14:09):
saying, you know, that's okay. I had ten goals, I made
five of those, which just rollthem over to the next month. Yes,
that gives us the peace that weneed and the peace of mind.
More importantly, when you think aboutthe future of women in leadership, what
do you see? I see aninfusion injection of love, peace, strength,
(14:30):
vulnerability and being real. I feellike in this age as of where
right now, many people have justkind of put on a facade because for
so long we had to be strong, we had to be tough, you
know, and all of these things, and the generation of leaders coming they
need to see what's reality, right, So being able to know that there
(14:50):
are some vulnerable times and vulnerable moments. There are times where you have to
take a step and tap out becauseyou need to save yourself sometimes because because
pushing and keep driving in and weset to buy higher and higher and higher,
because as women, sometimes we comein at a deficit, and so
we see that deficit model of Okay, well, I have a lot of
on top of me because of whatmy peers may think and how I should
(15:13):
be able to lead. And manytimes we don't look inward and say,
but I'm human and I'm still goingto be the best. I'm still going
to go and work hard for whatI want to accomplish. And it's okay
if I have barriers along the way, and I work through my barriers and
I keep pushing and keep moving havingthe people cheering me on on the side.
So I think, just really lookingforward to women and leadership of being
(15:35):
able to be their true selves andletting the world see all of this wrapped
up together is still powerful. Amen. Amen, Jasmine, I bet you
have a point for us. Jasminealways has an inspirational boy. Just a
quote I write poetry. Okay,Well, first I just wanted to say,
(15:56):
like, as a fellow CPS kid, I really appreciate that, Thank
you. I appreciate that you putsuch an emphasis on motivating and being like
their biggest cheerleader in support because wedon't always get that when we're young,
and that's when we need it themost. So I just wanted to say
thank you for that. I lovethat you're doing that. And my quote
by Clay Bedford is you can teacha student a lesson for a day,
(16:18):
but if you can teach him tolearn by creating curiosity, he will continue
the learning process as long as helives. So that's yeah. I may
man to you saying being a vessel, that's all of what that is.
Thank you, thank you legacy mhm, legacy yep, it's really all
about legacy. And we use thisphrase, you know, sometimes kind of
(16:38):
loosely, but we really are chargedwith leaving the world better than we found
it. Absolutely, that really isour responsibility. As we start to wrap
up today, what who inspires you? Well, I definitely would saying my
mother over the years. Mother,this is ease now, but she inspired
me because she was myn Chia laterall along through life, my grandmar as
(17:00):
well and now as I am postmom, and I have circle of women that
continue to fuel into me. ButI'm inspired by others doing well. If
there's something that I've done, somethingthat I've said some time that I've taken
to help support someone and I seethem thrive, that brings me great joy
and that inspires me to keep movingand keep going because that's how I measure
(17:22):
my impact. So continuing to seepeople to be them bestselves, to find
those opportunities to be better and reallymove and become those movers, movers and
shakers, that gives me joy.And if it's something that they can say
that I did or plant a seed, even if it's twenty years ago,
that makes me feel that my livingis not in vain and that is so
true. I mean, I thinkoften about my kindergarten teacher, yeah,
(17:45):
and my ninth grade teacher. Thosewere the two that had the greatest impact
on me, and it's amazing.But a part of their value system really
makes up who I am, absolutelyso, and it does matter. And
thank you for your service. Weknow that the lives that you have touched
are far better off than they wouldhave been had you not passed their way.
(18:07):
So we really appreciate your commitment tothe children of Chicago and really across
the country, because the ones thatyou're teaching, they're just you know,
they're gonna grow up and they're gonnamarry, and they're gonna have children,
and they're gonna move and it's allgonna come back to something that Aileen Mason
said or did or caused something tohappen in their lives to make up who
(18:29):
they are. Whether they're ten orwhether they're sixty, they'll be sitting somewhere
saying I remember when, and that'sa good thing. Thank you so much,
Aileen for being with us today forthe opportunity. I definitely am blessed
to even be in your presence becauseit's truly about women inspiring. I'm inspired
by you all every day. Sothank you, thank you. We appreciate
it. Thanks for listening to theWomen Inspire Chicago podcast hosted by Angela Ingram,
(18:53):
presented by iHeartMedia Chicago, and producedby Jasmine Bennett. Sponsored by pot
Belly. Feed your group from smallto large with pot Belly catering. Potbelly,
you Gotta Get It Hot
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