Dr. Cynthia Treadwell, Fellow

Ira F. Aldridge

Chicago, IL

Dr. Cynthia Treadwell is the Principal of Ira F. Aldridge Elementary and has been a dedicated educator for the past 21 years with Chicago Public Schools. She has been a school leader for the past 10 years fulfilling the role of an Assistant Principal and Principal. She has worked as a classroom teacher, Reading Specialist/Coach, and District Literacy Specialist. During her tenure as an educator, Cynthia has had the opportunity to teach courses as an Adjunct Instructor at Chicago State University and DePaul University. Cynthia currently holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University with a Superintendent endorsement. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Chicago State University. Cynthia is the author of 30 Days of Encouragement for the Educator. Cynthia has been a member of the Chief Education Officer Advisory Council for Chicago Public Schools and has been nominated as a Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Principals. She is currently a Mentor Principal and Resident Principal Evaluator where she evaluates and makes recommendations for future Principals. Believing passionately in the power of education to expand human potential, transform lives, and shape new visions for leading and learning in a globally complex world is what drives Cynthia. Her goal is to create academically engaging school communities and learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, kindness, and a strong focus on social and emotional skills for adults and students.

In 2022, Cynthia was promoted to Executive Director of the Department of OSEL (Office of Social Emotional Learning), Chicago Public Schools.

Afua Badu, Ally

Assistant Principal
Ira F. Aldridge

Chicago, IL

Afua Agyeman-Badu is the Assistant Principal of Ira F. Aldridge Elementary in the Altgeld Garden Community. She has been a dedicated educator for the past 18 years with Chicago Public Schools. She has worked as a classroom teacher, Lead Literacy Coach and has been in the role of school leader for 4 years. She has earned her undergraduate degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, and her graduate degree from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at National Louis University in Educational Leadership. Afua is a Golden Apple Scholar Alumni and a New Leader Aspiring Principal. She believes that children can gain the access needed to improve unfavorable circumstances and a trajectory defined by systemic social and economic injustices through education. Limitless opportunities are attainable when education, coupled with high-quality instruction and social-emotional learning, is provided to students by invested, caring, and competent adults. Her goal is to build positive interactions and eye-opening experiences for students to envision the possibilities of who they can become.