About Cheryl D. Watkins, PhD
Cheryl D. Watkins
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC
Dr. Cheryl D. Watkins is a distinguished educator, leader, and advocate whose passion for teaching began in childhood and evolved into a transformative 33-year career in one of the nation’s largest urban school districts. Beginning as a special education teacher, she rose through the ranks to serve as assistant principal, principal, net
Dr. Cheryl D. Watkins is a distinguished educator, leader, and advocate whose passion for teaching began in childhood and evolved into a transformative 33-year career in one of the nation’s largest urban school districts. Beginning as a special education teacher, she rose through the ranks to serve as assistant principal, principal, network deputy chief of schools, and ultimately network chief of schools prior to her retirement.
Dr. Watkins is the founder and lead consultant of Monarch Education Consultants, LLC, where she partners with schools and districts to drive equitable, high-quality instructional outcomes and sustainable improvement.
She earned her undergraduate degree from Chicago State University, where she now serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. She holds both a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and also completed formal studies in chaplaincy and ministry at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
A servant leader at her core, Dr. Watkins lives by this mantra, which is her personal commitment to stand up, speak up, and show up for the oppressed. Her work consistently bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that systems of education truly serve all learners.
Throughout her career, Dr. Watkins has received numerous honors at the local, regional, and national levels. Her accolades include the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Milken Educator Award, the Kathy Osterman Award for Superior Public Service, the Margaret T. Burroughs Legacy Award, and recognition from organizations such as Illinois Women in Educational Leadership and the Michael Jordan Education Club.
A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Watkins presents nationally on leadership, equity, and educational transformation. She also serves as an adjunct professor and is a published author. Her book, Releasing Her: Wrestling Peace from the Jaws of Alzheimer’s, chronicles the deeply personal journey she and her sisters experienced while caring for their mother during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Committed to faith and service, Dr. Watkins serves as an associate minister, preaching and teaching the Word of God. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Above all, Dr. Watkins proudly embraces her identity as a lifelong learner dedicated to empowering others and uplifting communities.
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC was founded in 2020 by Dr. Cheryl D. Watkins. The goal of MEC is to provide consultation to districts and individual schools to improve instruction and academic achievement. The content of the support provided by Monarch Education Consultants, LLC. is anchored firmly in research and experience.
With mor
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC was founded in 2020 by Dr. Cheryl D. Watkins. The goal of MEC is to provide consultation to districts and individual schools to improve instruction and academic achievement. The content of the support provided by Monarch Education Consultants, LLC. is anchored firmly in research and experience.
With more than 33 years as a successful educator within the third largest district in the United States as the foundation of her work, Dr. Watkins firmly believes that there is a special place where theory meets practice. MEC takes its role in bridging the gap between the two seriously and seeks to provide a special brand of consultation services to school districts and leaders.
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC was created to provide supports to districts, schools and school leaders around three specific buckets of work as she supports efforts to increase academic achievement for students and to support the instructional capacity of teachers. Her sessions on Race and Equity, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership are requested by districts and organizations throughout the state of Illinois, across the midwest and beyond. She is a sought after speaker and professional development leader who skillfully facilitates sessions while engaging audiences and participants. Dr. Watkins has been the keynote speaker at graduations, delivered individual school professional development sessions and has addressed large and small groups of educators and leaders, on both in-person and virtual platforms.
MEC, LLC Session Topics
Monarch Education Consultants, LLC
MEC specializes in topics related to education, school improvement, leadership and more. Here are a few of the most requested topics.
Race and Equity. During this time in education, where the playing field is changing, providing resources and services to a diverse group of individuals is necessary. MEC will engage your small, medium-sized
MEC specializes in topics related to education, school improvement, leadership and more. Here are a few of the most requested topics.
Race and Equity. During this time in education, where the playing field is changing, providing resources and services to a diverse group of individuals is necessary. MEC will engage your small, medium-sized or large group of school leaders, teachers, parents and/or community members in workshops to explore unique roles in addressing the impact of race and equity within your environment.
Read this article published in 2022 in the New York Times featuring the work of Monarch Education Consultants on Race and Equity work completed in Leland, Michigan.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/06/magazine/leland-michigan-race-school.html?smid=url-share
Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Watkins will bring her message related to the necessity of creating and maintaining a balance between work and play to your organization. As school and or district leaders, there is a tendency to consider the needs of others while not prioritizing self as you lead. The interactive session is designed, with the use of professional texts, to plant the seed of curiosity regarding balance for further, individualized exploration.
Read this article on the topic written by Dr. Watkins. It was published in September 2023. A membership is required to access it.
Leadership Development. MEC believes that the growth and development of school leaders is essential to increase the instructional capacity of teachers which will ultimately impact the academic achievement of students. MEC provides coaching support to principals and assistant principals as they navigate the leadership terrain of typical and atypical instructional settings to maximize outcomes. MEC further believes that the formula for increased school success is simple. Principled leaders who monitor instruction daily, plus effective teachers who provide high quality instruction grounded in the standards will equal student achievement.
Read this article published in Education Week on a partnership between a school district and a university to increase the pool of diverse male leaders. It features the work of Dr. Watkins in collaboration with a professor at National Louis University.
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Author
Dr. Watkins is the author of Releasing Her: Wrestling Peace from the Jaws of Alzheimer's, a personal project that details her experience supporting her mother as she bravely battled Alzheimer's disease. When it was released, the book was identified as an Amazon best seller in the following categories:
#1 in the Alzheimer's Category
#1 i
Dr. Watkins is the author of Releasing Her: Wrestling Peace from the Jaws of Alzheimer's, a personal project that details her experience supporting her mother as she bravely battled Alzheimer's disease. When it was released, the book was identified as an Amazon best seller in the following categories:
#1 in the Alzheimer's Category
#1 in the Dementia Category
#2 in the Aging Parents Category
You can purchase a copy of
Releasing Her: Wrestling Peace from the Jaws of Alzheimer's here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BCPDNPL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Releasing Her: Wrestling Peace from the Jaws of Alzheimer's
ABSTRACT
The writer is careful to take us through the memory caverns of her mind as she shares the impact her mother had on others both within and outside of the family. Less than five years after diagnosis, her mother passed away from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. This third daughter’s experience during the years and moments leading up to the passing of her mother is the main focus of the book. She wants readers to know that some of the chapters were written with tears pooling in the corners of her eyes, spilling over onto her cheeks and dripping down her neck. Therefore, she warns the reader prior to the start of the book, “No tears for the writer, none for the reader.”
She follows through on her commitment to share how she and her sisters honored their mother before, during, and after the impact of the disease. Should you find yourself in a position to care for a loved one, it is important to note that at the end of the book the author offers guidance and suggestions to make your path easier.
Featured on DayTime Chicago (WGN) - Check it out. https://wgntv.com/daytime-chicago/what-to-do-when-a-loved-one-has-been-diagnosed-with-alzheimers/
Dr. Watkins is also a featured author in the 2020 Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM) publication to support the implementation of mindful practices in classrooms. Make your purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Educating-Mindfully-Stories-Transformation-Mindfulness/dp/0578627221/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SD1G0RWR9GZU&keywords=educating+mindfully&qid=1656513954&sprefix=%2Caps%2C53&sr=8-1
Educator
Upcoming Events
Dr. Watkins rose through the ranks during her career with the Chicago Public Schools. She served as a teacher, professional development leader, assistant principal, principal, instructional support leader and a deputy chief of schools. Prior to retiring, after 33 years of services, she was a chief of schools. In this role she provided edu
Dr. Watkins rose through the ranks during her career with the Chicago Public Schools. She served as a teacher, professional development leader, assistant principal, principal, instructional support leader and a deputy chief of schools. Prior to retiring, after 33 years of services, she was a chief of schools. In this role she provided educational leadership and instructional support to 70 school principals and their assistant principals, as well as more than 700 teachers, on the south, far south and southeast sides of the city.
In 2005, after writing a proposal to start a new school under the Renaissance 2010 Initiative spearheaded by then Mayor Richard Daley, Dr. Watkins became the founding principal of Pershing West Middle School.
In the field of education she is known as a servant leader and believes that it is better to give than to receive. She makes it a practice to embody that motto on a daily basis.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
UPCOMING SESSIONS
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Dr. Cheryl D. Watkins
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