CICS Basil Campus

Principal (5-8): Deborah Persson

Deborah first became interested in education when she joined Peer Health Exchange at DePaul University. She graduated Magna Cum and was accepted to Teach for America. During her time with TFA, her 9th grade students at IDEA-Brownsville achieved the highest ELA scores in the district on the end-of-year-assessment and surpassed their goals on the STAAR with 99% of them passing and 50% commended. From there, she joined the Chicago International Charter School team at the Avalon campus where she led her 5th and 6th grade students to advancing 2+ years in reading on the NWEA. Serving as Lead Teacher her second year, she coached teachers to help Avalon reach the highest growth and attainment scores on the NWEA in the network. In the 2014-2015 school year, she accepted the position of Principal Fellow at Basil where she continues the work, now as Principal, of ensuring that all students receive an excellent education that prepares them for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Director of Operations: Lori Flood

Ms. Flood has been with the Basil campus since 2005 and has served as the Student Services Team Leader and Case Manager, the Regional Director of Student Services, and the Assistant Principal.  Prior to joining CICS Basil, Lori taught special education and served as the Academic Coordinator at a therapeutic day school.  Born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, Lori earned her B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Loyola University Chicago and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.