Javier Arriola-Lopez

Principal, Rachel Carson Elementary

Chicago, Illinois

Fellow

Javier Arriola-Lopez immigrated to the United States from Mexico at the age of 16 years old. Adjusting to American schooling was a challenge since Javier did not know much English. However, Javier knew that America was the Land of Opportunity, and he needed to persevere to achieve his dreams.

Javier graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He also completed two Master’s Degrees: one in School Administration and another one in Bilingual Education. His professional career includes being a bilingual teacher, bilingual lead teacher and reading specialist. Javier had never been a school assistant principal when he decided to lead the school where he was working as a bilingual lead teacher and reading specialist. At the time Javier became the principal, his school had over 1300 students! Nonetheless, Javier had worked in that school for several years, and he knew how to continue leading the school to higher student academic achievement.

Since Javier became the principal at Rachel Carson Elementary in the Chicago Public Schools, his school has been on the rise in terms of student academic achievement. Rachel Carson school has been rated by CPS as a Level 1+ School, which is the highest rank a CPS school can obtain. Additionally, Javier has been awarded the Independent School Principal given by CPS to principals who have shown student academic success over several years.

Javier is proud to lead a predominantly Latinx school. Moreover, Rachel Carson School has an established PK-6 Dual Language Education Program.

Alberta Colesio

Assistant Principal, Carson Dual Language Elementary School

Chicago, Illinois

ALLY

Alberta Colesio was born and raised in Chicago where she now has the pleasure of working for one of the largest public school districts, Chicago Public Schools. She grew up in the Back of the Yards Neighborhood, where she attended Chicago Public Elementary Schools. She graduated from Mother McAuley High School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Chicago State University in Bilingual Education and her Master's Degree from Governors State University in Educational Leadership.

Ms. Alberta Colesio is the Assistant Principal at Carson Dual Language Elementary School in Chicago. Prior to taking on the role of Assistant Principal, Ms. Alberta Colesio served as the ESL Resource Teacher and Dual Language Coordinator.

In the role of Assistant Principal, she takes pride in serving a community that resembles much of where she grew up in. She brings to her community a vision formed by her professional, academic and personal experiences that support a strong belief in bringing a fair and equitable education to all students. She strongly believes that administrators and teachers are the key to creating an environment that regardless of where one lives, a school can provide the right support to all students and bring an end to the inequities of education.