Today we’d like to introduce you to Arika J. Linton.
Arika J., please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well, my story is very interesting. For about 9 years, I worked as an independent entertainment consultant and freelance producer. I moved to LA to pursue it full time and to my regret, things did not work out. I went through about a 3 month period where I was extremely saddened that my dream didn’t work out. After that period, my friends and family wouldn’t let me soak in negativity so I started slowly but surely getting adjusted back to Chicago living and started praying asking God to reveal a new path to me. I was clear that I wanted to do purpose filled work.
Fast forward to the Summer of 2017, my mother (who also works in Education) was in a meeting mapping out her schools budget for the next school year and she got into an interesting conversation with another (newly-hired) Principal about her school and that conversation somehow led to my mom finding out that they were hiring for a Dean of Students. So my mom recommended me, “Well my daughter doesn’t have any experience in Education but she is a hard worker, tenacious and above all loves kids and they love her back!”
I had an interview in August for the position and was offered the job right away. (Shout out to Dr. Bush at Laura Ward STEM School) for taking a chance on me and my LIGHT.
School began, September 2017 and the rest is history…we actually just wrapped the school year and what a year it has been!
So that’s the story of how I got started…
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh my goodness…becoming a Dean of Students has not at all been a smooth road but I am grateful to have two of the best (in-school Mentors) Admin ever, Dr. Rhea Bush (Principal) and Ms. Sharon Eskridge (Assistant Principal) they make my job so much easier and assure me of my path whether I am doing great work or if I need to tweak my approach.
With this being my first year, it has not necessarily been easy. It’s truly been a learning experience. Working in a low-income area comes with its own challenges and understanding. Working in the public school sector also comes with its own struggles as well such as: lack of funding.
One of the main struggles has been aiming to get buy-in to implement the Restorative Justice Practice which promotes Conversation over Consequence. The State of Illinois has adapted The Senate Bill 100 which is designed to reduce the school to prison pipeline. I truly believe that in some instances a conversation can change a live.
Also, I have an open door policy being a Dean of Students and I’ve learned that everyone doesn’t not like it. I’ve heard that, I’m too nice or kind-hearted and that these kids don’t need that. I have learned that they don’t like it because they don’t understand it. Conversation shifts a Culture, a Dean of Students is not only in charge of discipline but also setting the culture and climate of the school. School is meant to be enjoyed not hated.
Of course, they are going to be some things I’d like to change for the upcoming school year but there are a lot of things I will not change.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Honestly, my favorite memory about childhood is Television. I looooved the reality of Television (scripted) growing up. I could see myself through almost every character. Ummm, hello Moesha, Zaria Peterson (WB’s Parent’hood), Briana Barnes (UPN’s One on One), Susie Carmichael (Nickelodeon’s Rugrats) and so much more. What’s funny is now I watch, the adult comedies I didn’t watch in the 90’s like ‘Living Single’ and ‘Friends’. <–Because that is literally my life now. It’s so relative unlike many of the shows out now.
Second favorite memory about childhood is Church. I grew up very involved in church and I wouldn’t change a thing because in my opinion, I grew up in one of the greatest churches EVER (Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park). My childhood church had everything including cute boys LOL! Seriously, I am immensely grateful for a strong foundation because it has carried me through into my adulthood. That is largely attributed to my family and that church.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 773-534-6440
- Email: ajlinton@cps.edu
- Instagram: hey_arika
- Facebook: Arika J. Linton
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