Making a Difference as Part of the CPS Principal Advisory Council

When Principal Homero Peñuelas was a college student, he noticed how few of his peers looked like him. This is what pushed him toward pursuing a career in education. He notes that Curie High School was one of the few places that gave him a job opportunity after graduating and applying far and wide. He’s stayed at Curie ever since, serving as a substitute teacher, social studies teacher, assistant principal, and now as principal for the past three-and-a-half years. Through his own experiences as a student and the experiences of the Curie community, he is often reminded of the importance of removing barriers to opportunities for students to ensure they can reach their dream careers. 

In addition to being the principal of Curie, he served on the District’s Principal Advisory Council for two years and is now an alumnus of the program. Read more below to learn about his journey and experiences on the PAC. 

How did your upbringing lead to you pursuing education as a career?

I was born in Mexico City and came to the U.S. with my mom and two sisters when I was seven years old. My mom’s view of the American Dream included education. We knew that hard work was part of that as well, but education was key to success.  As an undocumented student being denied the opportunities of an education, I became an educator to ensure that those same artificial barriers do not impact Chicago’s students.

What keeps you coming back to Curie each year? 

As I mentioned, it was one of the few schools that gave me an interview, and it has felt like home. It’s been so rewarding to give back to this community that gave me the opportunity to teach. 

Why did you want to join the Principal Advisory Council? 

Curie is the largest CPS school on the South Side, and I wanted to make sure we were represented. I also wanted to make sure that Latino leaders were represented in District committees. 

What did you accomplish in your two years on the PAC? 

It was a great opportunity to be able to give feedback and have our voices heard regarding the different plans and solutions that the CEO and CPS were developing. The PAC has several subcommittees, and I was on the Whole School Safety Subcommittee. I was able to work closely with the CPS Office of Safety and Security to provide input on their projects and initiatives. 

How has the school year been going at Curie so far, and what are some of your goals for the rest of the year? 

It’s been going great. Our vision has always been equity-focused, but this year we’re especially concentrating on providing rigorous instructional experiences and exemplary supports for all marginalized students and their communities to drive multigenerational change. 

This means that we are committed to providing mental health supports for students, enriching their experiences with the arts and athletics, and giving them the skills that will enable both their success and have a positive impact on their families and communities. We know that college isn’t for everyone, which is why we want to ensure that they are prepared for whatever postsecondary pathway they decide is best for them.

What is your message to your fellow principals for Principal Appreciation Month? 

Thank you for everything you do. It’s a hard job. It takes a special group of people to do it, and I’m glad to be a part of this group.