In September, EOS announced our inaugural class of Opportunity Champions, who are recognized for doing exceptional work in transforming their school or district’s advanced academic pathways.  

The Opportunity Champions are EOS partners who are deeply committed to driving forward EOS’ mission of unlocking the potential of all students through increasing access to, and success in, programs such as AP, IB, and dual enrollment.

This month, we are highlighting Keanon Thompson, the AP Program Support Specialist for Chicago Public Schools.

“Keanon continues to set the bar high as it relates to the CPS Partnership,” said EOS Partnership Director Thomas Kirkley, who nominated Keanon for this honor. “He is involved in every convening, every school visit and all thing EOS as it relates to the betterment of the district. He is a huge advocate in believing that what we do helps all children and how supporting our vision balances the needs of all programs in all schools.”

Below, hear from Keanon himself on what drives his work, his favorite aspects of his job, and the impact he has witnessed over the past several years of the EOS partnership.

What drives you to continue to do the work of creating access and opportunity in your district? What has been your favorite part of the work this year? 

There are two things that drive me to continue the work of supporting schools to create access and opportunity for our students: personal experience and the aspirations schools have for students.

My understanding of being provided opportunities (and restricted from AP opportunities) as a student made me realize the value these advanced courses have in the long run for students. It was teachers and district staff who gave me the opportunities I was unsure I could succeed in at the time. They didn’t label me using numbers and scores like many people have been when being considered for opportunities. They used numbers as a snapshot of potential and supported me in my growth by “taking a chance” on me.

This is the story for many of our students, as we exclude certain students solely on one or two factor(s): numbers and scores. Research has even debunked this over time, because it isn’t only about scores, and numbers aren’t who you are – they show potential of where you can go. There are countless opportunities that I and many other students before, during, and after my time were more prepared for because of advanced courses like AP and IB.

Knowing that students (and people in general) aren’t statistics and that numbers don’t write our stories has driven me to help schools think about the processes and skills students are developing in these courses, rather than solely focusing on the results of an exam.

School leadership in CPS has recognized the benefits of these advanced opportunities in their school and are reimagining how students can access them through AP, IB, Dual Credit, and Dual Enrollment courses. We at CPS, working with the EOS Team, are on board with “all boats rising” in CPS because schools and kids win at the end of the day.

This change isn’t something that has started with me nor will it end with me or anyone in CPS. Equity is a journey that educators take in cultivating pathways for students to take in school, and I’m excited to be a support to the context of the schools we work with.

My favorite part of the work is seeing the mission, vision, and plans that schools have for students around access and enrollment in these courses. They’re revamping how students engage with the available courses and how they are intentionally supported in these spaces once they enter the classroom.

When visiting schools, meeting with team members, and seeing classes, I get excited to see the intentional changes school leaders, teachers, and staff have made based on conversations with the EOS Partnership Directors or CPS leads in this work. I listen to students (some of which took the chance given to them) articulating their ideas and thoughts in a community where the teacher and students are working together towards growing and being better prepared for the opportunity that awaits them in May.

I can tell that schools are focused on improving student experience in the classroom with the intention that over time, the outcomes will naturally show their work (which has and continues to be realized in many cases). We’re seeing more students being a part of this process in the classroom and taking more accountability in advanced courses, which is essential to many postsecondary opportunities.

These favorite parts of my work would not be possible without the CPS and EOS colleagues I have collaborated with in the past and present to support the student experience and access to these opportunities. 

Learn more about EOS’ partnership with CPS here.