Terrycita Perry

Cahn Fellow 2019

Principal, Arthur Dixon Elementary School

Chicago, Illinois

Terrycita Perry was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. She is a product of the Chicago Public School System, attending Arthur Dixon Elementary School, and Chicago Vocational High School. Terrycita holds a Bachelors in Special Education, from Chicago State University; a Masters in Early Childhood Development from Chicago State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Loyola University-Chicago. She has 4 years of experience as a principal, 10 years of experience as an assistant principal, 7 years of experience as a special education teacher, and 5 years of experience as a daycare teacher and teacher assistant. Terrycita is the principal of (her alma mater) Dixon Elementary School. Dr. Perry was the 2002 recipient of (Comer's) Teacher of the Year, the Network 12 Principal of the Year for 2018, and was recently inducted into her high school's hall of fame. She serves on the Principal Advisory Council, Professional Learning Community team; Summer Institute for administrators committee and is a principal mentor for the district.

Dr. Perry's school is ranked at a CPS Level 1+, ranking #7 as one of the best elementary schools in Chicago. Under Dr. Perry's leadership, Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited the school recognizing the school's accomplishment for receiving a perfect score on the school quality rating report. Her recent travels to Alaska, Rome, and China broadened Terrycita's knowledge and exposed her to new and different strategies to bring back to the students. Terrycita's mission is to travel around the world to work with children.