Project Description
Charles N. Smith
Principal, Infinity STEM High School
Chicago, Illinois
Fellow
Charles N. Smith is the Principal of Infinity STEM High School. He has twenty years of experience in education as a Teacher, Program Facilitator, Assistant Principal and Principal. His journey in education began as a fourth-grade teacher. He later served as a middle school math teacher, summer bridge teacher for transitioning students and now leads one of the most distinguished neighborhood high schools in District 299.
Charles is a member of Chicago Principal Fellows Alumni, a former New Leader and is a founding member of the Great Expectations Mentoring (GEM) program for minority leaders in CPS. He has engaged in Courageous Principals training and for the past two years, Charles has led Professional Learning Communities in conjunction with the Chicago Education FUND.
Under Principal Smith’s leadership, Infinity has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of America's Best High Schools in 2014, 2015 and 2018. He has brought an Early College Stem program to the school which provides students with the opportunity to achieve college credits towards their associate’s degree. As an acknowledgment to Charles’ success as a leader, Infinity STEM H.S has achieved level 1+ status three of the last four years.
Erin Walker
Assistant Principal, Infinity High School of Math, Science and Technology
Chicago, Illinois
ALLY
Erin Walker is a 21-year veteran of The Chicago Public School system. She started her career teaching Biology and English at an alternative school and spent the next 15 years teaching IB English at Hyde Park Academy and Ogden International School.
Six years ago, she transitioned to the AP role at Infinity High School of Math, Science and Technology. As an assistant principal, her goal is to help teachers to creatively adapt their curriculum and methodology to suit the needs of their students while attaining and surpassing national benchmarks. The school now offers a dual credit program that offers students the ability to graduate high school with an associate’s degree. During her tenure at Infinity, the school has won several awards including US News and World Reports Best High School and Newsweek Top American High School.
Additionally, Mrs. Walker earned her undergraduate English Education degree from The University of Georgia and subsequently earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from DePaul University.