Kate Kloepper-James

Assistant Principal

Hello Bateman Family!
 
My name is Kate Kloepper-James and I am honored and humbled to be the Assistant Principal at Bateman Elementary for the last ten years!  If you need help remembering how to pronounce my name, think of a pepper.  As a fellow community member and mother of two, I am excited to work alongside each of you to continue to make Bateman a place where our students are challenged, inspired, celebrated, and loved.

I believe that when given the correct supports all children can learn!  In order to achieve this, as one of your leaders:

• I commit to love and care for each Bateman student
• I commit to listen to all concerns
• I commit to collaborate with all stakeholders in the Bateman community
• I commit to reach out to community partners to broaden experiences for our students
• I commit to motivate, celebrate, and support all educators to ensure that all classrooms feel like a second home to our students

 
I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and have a Bachelors degree from Illinois State University in Elementary Education with endorsements in Math, Language Arts, Science, Spanish, and Social Studies.  While studying at Illinois State, I had the opportunity to study and teach in Taxco, Mexico in a second grade classroom. I also had the privilege of being a contributing team member for a nonprofit focused on the development of preservice educators.  I continued my professional growth and achieved a Masters degree from Concordia University Chicago in School Leadership. 
 
Most recently, I was a second grade teacher, Instructional Coach and MTSS Coordinator at Ravenswood Elementary School where I collaborated with teachers to ensure that all students’ needs were being met.  Before Ravenswood, I was the Associate Director of a non-profit organization that trained and supported new teachers in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Baltimore. I was also a teacher-leader for four years at McCormick Elementary School on Chicago’s west side where I completed my Principal Internship while teaching 2nd and 3rd grades.  I was tasked with the creation of a school wide learning plan that coordinated all professional learning for teachers to have the greatest impact on student growth.  This included Balanced Literacy, English Learner support, and unit study design.
 
My husband, two children and I are proud to call Irving Park our home.  My husband is also an administrator in CPS and together we enjoy exploring Chicago’s diverse restaurant options, cheering on Chicago sports teams, and keeping up with our kids!
 
Please feel free to contact me anytime regarding any issue, concern, or question – if it impacts your child’s education you will have my full and undivided attention. I look forward to this school year as part of the Bateman family!