Angela Sims, Fellow

Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center

Chicago, IL

Angela Sims has been the principal of Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center since 2012. She believes school should not only challenge students academically, but also meet their social/emotional needs to equip them to make critical decisions as they progress through college and into careers. At Lenart, students are taught that great leaders are not only smart, but also caring and empathetic. Angela is a proud graduate of Chicago Public Schools, and has worked for CPS as teacher and administrator for almost 20 years. She discovered her love of teaching while serving as a substitute teacher during a break from her job as a clinical researcher. Angela decided to return to school to pursue her teaching degree, allowing her the opportunity to share her love of Science with many middle school students on the south and west side of Chicago. An administrator who recognized her natural ability to lead and influence instruction encouraged Angela into school leadership. Despite being a good student, Angela did not like school and often felt unchallenged and disinterested. Angela’s main goal as an educator is to create a different learning experience than her own that is both challenging and relevant to her students’ lives. Angela is an Independent School Principal, Chicago Principal Fellow Alumna, and 2020 National Blue Ribbon School Principal. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Spelman College, and Master’s degrees in teaching and school administration from National Louis University. She is currently pursuing her Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kimberly Henderson, Ally

Assistant Principal

Lenart Elementary Regional Gifted Center

Chicago, IL

Kimberly Henderson is entering her 17th year in administration with Chicago Public Schools. Prior to becoming the assistant principal at Lenart Regional Gifted Center in 2021, Kimberly was the proud parent of a Lenart Lion for 9 years! Kimberly began her career with Chicago Public Schools as a teacher in the Teach for Chicago program. After over 14 years in the classroom, she decided that she could have an even greater impact as an administrator supporting students across all grade levels. She was accepted into Cohort 9 of the New Leaders for New Schools program and has led two different schools including being a welcoming school principal after the 2013 school closures. Kimberly takes immense pleasure in working with teachers to improve their instructional practices and also remaining hands on with students. She is excited about this opportunity to be an ally and work even more closely with her principal while deepening her own knowledge around current educational issues. Kimberly believes that being a lifelong learner helps make her a stronger administrator.