Greek Dishes Inspired by Italian Cuisine

Suzana Ustabecir has had a long career in education for Chicago Public Schools, including positions as teacher and principal. In her spare time, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys baking sweets and desserts.

A recipient of a master of education in administration and supervision from National Louis University, Suzana Ustabecir most recently spent seven years working as a principal in the Chicago Public Schools system. Outside of her professional life, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys baking, cooking, and exploring Greek cuisine.

In recent years, popular health books and numerous medical studies have touted the health benefits of the traditional Greek diet, which is rich in olive oil, fish, and fresh vegetables. However, a visitor to Greece may be surprised to learn that the term “Greek diet” can mean something very different to those living in different parts of the country. One of these unique culinary regions is the Ionian islands.

The Ionian islands and its most popular destination, Corfu, were occupied by Venetian invaders for more than four centuries, and this influence is noticeable in the food, which resembles traditional Italian cuisine. For example, one of Corfu’s trademark dishes, pastitsada, features pasta and a thick tomato sauce flavored with garlic, onion, and white wine. However, the dish gets its local flavor through the addition of cloves and cinnamon. Another Italian-inspired Corfu specialty is sofrito, a veal dish that takes its name from the Italian word “frito,” meaning fried. Like much of Mediterranean culture, these dishes represent the blending of numerous peoples, religions, and empires in the region for thousands of years.

Suzana Ustabecir - Accomplished School Administrator

Suzana Ustabecir's photograph from a recent trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Away from her professional activities, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling.

Scholarships from the National Society of Leadership and Success

An experienced educator in Illinois, Suzana Ustabecir has served as an instructional effectiveness specialist in the Chicago Public Schools, where she helps teachers and administrators improve their skill sets and pedagogical approaches. 

A school administrator with a master of education in administration and supervision from National Louis University, Suzana Ustabecir has worked as a teacher, administrator, and principal in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Currently, she works as an instructional effectiveness specialist for CPS. Suzana Ustabecir holds membership in the National Society of Leadership and Success, the largest leadership honor society in the United States. 

In a typical school year, the National Society of Leadership and Success gives more than a quarter-million dollars in scholarships and awards to eligible members. A National Review Board carefully reviews submissions based on criteria such as leadership, service, and financial need, awarding both need-based and mission-based scholarships and grants. Additionally, the Stephen Covey Tribute Awards include Chapter of the Year awards and Advisor of the Year awards for individuals and chapters who have made outstanding contributions to the mission of the organization. More information on scholarships and awards is available at societyleadership.org.

National Society of Leadership and Success - Dream Support Grant

Suzana Ustabecir is a member of the New Leaders for New Schools Group. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking and travel.

As a professional educator with more than 15 years of experience, Suzana Ustabecir is currently serving as the instructional effectiveness specialist for Chicago Public Schools in Chicago, Illinois. Among other professional organizations, Suzana Ustabecir has also been involved with the National Society of Leadership and Success.

The National Society of Leadership and Success was created on the core idea that more can be achieved together than alone. The society provides life-changing lectures given by professional leaders, helping people to define and attain their goals. To help members achieve their goals, the society has established several scholarship and awards programs, such as the Dream Support Grant.

Established to help individuals realize their dreams, the Dream Support Grant provides scholarships of up to $5,000 during each scholarship term. Scholarships are awarded according to the amount requested from the applicant and multiple winners are possible. Scholarship winners are also awarded a certificate of accomplishment and are featured in the society newsletter.

New Leaders Principal Program Shows a Positive Impact

Suzana Ustabecir completed the principal leadership preparation program at National Louis.

Suzana Ustabecir has been involved in the Chicago Public Schools system as a teacher, principal, and administrator since 2001, and she now serves as an instruction effectiveness specialist. Suzana Ustabecir is also involved in New Leaders for New Schools, through which she completed a program in principal leadership preparation in 2008. 

New Leaders for New Schools serves children in the public school system by supporting the principals and teachers who work with them. The nonprofit organization especially focuses on children of color and under-resourced children who may need extra help and attention at school. Seventy-eight percent of the students with whom the graduates go on to work are in poverty, and 87 percent are children of color. 

The organization offers programs for every level of school leadership, and its programs show strong evidence of effectiveness. Within the first year or so, 85 percent of participants in the program see improvement in their students' classroom achievement. Moreover, on average, only about 50 percent of principals tend to stay in their district for longer than three years, while 74 percent of New Leaders graduates tend to stay in their districts that long. These achievements and others have led to the RAND Corporation recognizing the New Leaders principal program as showing strong evidence of positive impact.