Fernando Kim

Cahn Fellow 2019

Principal, Frank W Gunsaulus Elementary Scholastic Academy

Chicago, Illinois

Fernando Kim's career in education started when he left corporate America to serve and educate 4th graders at P.S. 161 in New York City. It was there at Don Pedro Albizu Campus School that he learned many valuable and lasting lessons from his community as he worked with a sense of urgency to turn around one of the lowest-performing schools in all of New York into a model school. The relationships and lessons learned there became invaluable as he later served diverse communities in different capacities as a bilingual education administrator, mentoring and induction coach, adjunct professor, principal at two Chicago elementary schools, and mentor to aspiring principals. He thoroughly enjoys serving his community of learners and leaders made up of students, educators, and parents, and considers it a privilege and a blessing. He enjoys being outdoors in nature, exercising, reading books, eating out, and building good habits with his family.