Yasmeen Muhammad-Leonard

Principal, Louis Nettelhorst Elementary School

Chicago, Illinois

Fellow

Yasmeen Muhammad is the proud principal of Louis Nettelhorst Elementary School, nestled in the East Lakeview neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. Yasmeen’s journey as an educator began seventeen years ago with Chicago Public Schools. It has been her mission and greatest reward serving the children and families of Chicago. Yasmeen is passionate about changing the trajectory of students’ lives through education. Her work centers on the question “And how are the children?” while forging the path to ensure the success of every Stallion that walks through the doors of Louis Nettelhorst Elementary School.

Yasmeen worked as a teacher-librarian and a Diverse Learning Specialist on the Southside of Chicago throughout her tenure as a teacher. Her call to leadership began with the acceptance into the New Leaders Aspiring Principals Program. She vowed to shift the paradigm in public education and cultivated her vision, “Equity and Excellence for all.” Yasmeen is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Leadership, Equity, and Inquiry; where she anticipates leveraging this knowledge to tackle the systemic racism and institutional oppression that undergird the public school system.

She is inspired by the words of John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Six sweet years later, her fight continues until she can answer the question, “All the children are well,” the work is not complete.

Dr. Joshua Marburger

Case Manager, Nettelhorst Fine & Performing Arts School

Chicago, Illinois

ALLY

Dr. Joshua Marburger has been a social-justice, student-centered educator since beginning his career 16 years ago. Starting his experience as an elementary school teacher in Taichung, Taiwan, Dr. Marburger gained insight into the diversity of language, class and religion throughout Southeast Asia. In 2008, he moved to Chicago and began teaching middle school at Enrico Fermi Elementary School. This is where Dr. Marburger’s interest in social-justice education grew. He implemented Restorative Justice Practices and built curriculum to meet the culturally relevant needs of his student population. Currently, Dr. Marburger is the case manager at Nettelhorst Fine & Performing Arts School where he advocates for students and coordinated services for students with disabilities. Additionally, Dr. Marburger has been a proponent of support for LGBTQ+ students.

Dr. Marburger earned his Doctorate of Education at The University of New England focusing his research on: Educators’ Perceptions of the Impact of Restorative Justice Practices on Black, Male Middle School Students.