Chicago Leadership Collaborative (CLC)-Chicago Mayor’s Merit Pay Plan

An experienced resident principal and administrator,
Suzana Ustabecir draws on six years as a cluster
lead teacher at the elementary level.

Suzana Ustabecir maintains a career with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) as an Instructional Effectiveness Specialist. Previously, Suzana Ustabecir served Chicago schools as a K-8 principal from 2009 to 2016. In 2011, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel announced a merit pay plan for Chicago public school Principals known as the Chicago Leadership Collaborative (CLC). 

Developed to increase principals’ accountability and retain highly qualified professionals, the CLC—through state recognition and performance pay — rewards principals for creating environments that promote student success. A total of $5 million was earmarked to fund the performance bonuses, which ranged from $5,000 to $20,000 per principal, for five years. In addition, the CLC established a professional development program aimed at preparing principals to lead schools toward success.

In 2012, when the first round of performance bonuses was awarded, Suzana Ustabecir was one of the 82 Chicago Public Schools principals out of 444 to receive a performance based merit bonus.

Feeling that the school would not have improved without the efforts of everyone, especially the teachers, Suzana Ustabecir decided that the bonus award should go to them. She then donated the entire bonus award to the school to be used for teacher initiatives as decided by teachers.

The Colorful Island of Burano in Venice, Italy

Suzana Ustabecir created a comprehensive strategic
plan and implemented a number of instructional development
 methods, including training programs
and pedagogical focus teams. 

Beginning her teaching career as a magnet cluster lead teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, Suzana Ustabecir went on to serve as a principal, administrator, and, most recently, an instructional effectiveness specialist with the same school system. Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling abroad during her free time, citing Burano near Venice, Italy, as one of her favorite destinations. 

An island in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon approximately 40 minutes from Venice by boat, Burano is known for its colorfully painted homes. With a population of around 3,000, the densely built island is crisscrossed by canals laden with fishing boats that are just as colorful as the buildings. It is also well known for its narrow streets, numerous footbridges, and the famous leaning bell tower at the Church of San Martino. 

Burano is also known for its fine Burano lace. Exported around the world, Burano lace is a source of livelihood for the island’s residents that dates back to the 16th century. For a more comprehensive history of the lace, the Museo del Merletto (Museum of Lacemaking), found in the historic Podesta of Torcello, is open to tourists.

The Astonishing City of Dubrovnik

One of Suzana Ustabecir's favorite travel
destinations | Suzana Ustabecir is an avid
world traveler in her free time.

A professional educator in Chicago, Suzana Ustabecir has an admirable track record of elevating a public school’s performance under her leadership as principal. In her time away from school, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling. One of the most memorable places she has visited is the Old City of Dubrovnik in Croatia. 

Located on the Dalmatian coast, the walled city of Dubrovnik was a naval powerhouse beginning in the 13th century. At the height of its glory in the 16th century, it had one of the world’s largest merchant naval fleets. The inhabitants of Dubrovnik became very wealthy and led worldly lives. 

They built magnificent buildings, palaces, monasteries, fountains, and splendid Baroque churches protected by strong fortifications. Today, one can wander into the pedestrian-only Old City and see these astonishing structures, experience the marbled streets, and walk along the massive walls that protected the city. 

Museums filled with artifacts reveal the city’s storied past. To top it off, visitors can head for the beaches and take a dip in the inviting waters of the Adriatic.

Educator and Administrator Suzana Ustabecir

Educator and Administrator Suzana Ustabecir from Suzana Ustabecir on Vimeo.

Chicago-based Suzana Ustabecir is an experienced public school educator and administrator. Starting out as a middle grades teacher at Chopin Elementary School, in the short course of over 15 years, Suzana Ustabecir has worked with various educational institutions in Chicago and successively served in the capacity of resident principal, administrator, acting assistant principal, and finally as an elementary school principal. Currently, she holds the position of instructional effectiveness specialist in the Chicago public school system.