Natalie Neris
Kids First Chicago
Natalie C. Neris leverages her work in education to advocate for social justice and equitable access for students and families in historically marginalized communities. The first in her family to graduate from a 4-year university, Natalie began her career with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in her own Humboldt Park community. A part of Chicago’s educational ecosystem as a CPS graduate, parent, teacher, and administrator in both the District and Charter sector, Natalie is keenly aware that access to a quality education is a game-changer, especially for students living in communities most impacted by injustice. She has committed her life to this work.
Natalie earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University and her graduate degree from Concordia University. While in the classroom Natalie earned a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching and became a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree from National Louis University. In addition to her work as Chief of Community Engagement at Kids First Chicago, Natalie is a 2017 Surge Fellow and serves on the board of directors for Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. She is the parent of two CPS students, a meditator, a lover of words, travel, food, connection and a fighter for the underdog.
“Opening is a way of being for me. I'm currently building a district-wide plan for radically inclusive stakeholder engagement for the district's school accountability redesign initiative. I also lead a team of openers. I'm currently doing the work of opening in Chicago and would appreciate the opportunity to share my practice and to learn from the work others are doing.”