Lisa Epstein is the Principal of Richard Henry Lee Elementary, located on Chicago’s Southwest Side where she has led an impressive transformation from a traditional neighborhood school into an extraordinary community institution with a personalized learning environment where students take ownership of the learning. Lisa was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in both psychology and education. Lisa went on to receive her masters in reading from the University of Illinois and then an additional masters in curriculum and instruction. Lisa is in her 27th year as an educator in the Chicago Public schools, she served as an elementary teacher, Instructional Coach, manager and director in the Office of Literacy, School Improvement Coordinator and Assistant Principal prior to becoming principal. Since becoming principal of Lee in 2012, she has worked collaboratively with educators to accelerate academics and SEL through personalized learning. She advanced the school’s rating from a level 2 rating to a level 1 plus. In addition, under Lisa’s leadership the school has increased parental involvement in classrooms and built strong partnerships, including the Chicago Bulls, Urban Initiatives, Leap Innovations, Summit Learning and SWOP. In addition, Lee has become a community school under her leadership. In 2017 Lisa was selected for the Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Principals, and in 2018 she was the recipient of the LEAP Innovator of Education Award. Lisa continues to share her work nationally she has presented at several national conferences including, InCoal Learning Forward, and ASU GSV Summit. Lisa is also the author of “I’m a principal who thinks personalized learning shouldn’t be a debate.” Lisa continues to support educators through her work as a mentor and executive Principal for the Chicago Public Schools and is also a current member of the National Louis Board of Education advisory board and Cahn Fellows advising principals nationally.