The Paw Print

By Mila Ind

As Payton welcomes the class of 2027 into the building for the first time, it also welcomes a cohort of 17 new teachers, staff, and school administrators joining the WPCP community. I met with Ms. Akporido to hear her story.

Paw Print: What’s some background on yourself before you came to Payton?

Ms. Akporido: I am a passionate post-secondary coach. I’ve been with CPS for 21 years, I believe, and 15 years in the department of post-secondary. I’ve been a post-secondary coach at 2 high schools, Chicago Public School high schools outside of Payton high school.

Paw Print: What lead you to come and teach at Payton?

Ms. Akporido: What lead me to Payton is a job opportunity became available and I interviewed with the principle and the counseling team. I really enjoyed hearing the wonderful things the students at Payton are doing. And I felt like my support and advisory could definitely be used, especially with our focal students that often don’t have that support, and that is my niche.

Paw Print: What lead you to choose a career in counciling? 

Ms. Akporido: Well at my high school, I also attended a Chicago Public School high school, we did not have a counseling department that focused strictly on post-secondary. It was a lot more guidance centered and I didn’t fit in that sector because I didn’t need any help, per se, in different, other aeas of the more traditional role of counseling and what my high school did was brought in commuter organizers and they focused strictly on post-secondary counseling and post-secondary guidance. An organization was brought into my high school, run by Mr. Parnio, and it allowed students to get involved with college fairs, college tours, essay writing, scholarships, and all things post secondary. 

Paw Print: How do you plan to support students throughout high school and prepare them for the future?

Ms. Akporido: I plan to support students at Payton by, you know, working with them one-on-one or in small groups on all things post-secondary college essays, scholarships, exposure to college fairs and college tours, and just getting to know the student holistically and assist students at Payton in 1 of the 6 post-secondary pathways, and that’s college, military, job training programs, employment, gap year, or an apprenticeship. 

Paw Print: What is your experience working for equity in a school setting?

Ms. Akporido: I have played a vital role in developing and implementing post-secondary plans, developing a system centered on diversity and inclusion, leading local and city wide post-secondary programs, and ensuring that they obtain successful post-secondary systems.

Paw Print: What do you believe are the most important challenges that high schoolers will face?

Ms. Akporido: Well, I hope to assist them having a smooth transition from Payton to any post-secondary pathway, however often times students’ challenge is finding their niche in a global society sort of just finding their place. I just want to make sure that they fit in wherever they go. 

Paw Print: Lastly, what has been your favorite part of Payton so far?
Ms. Akporido: So far my highlights of Payton, my favorite has been getting to know the students. I think it’s so important having meaningful, successful  relationships with your students and making sure your meeting all their needs.