SOUTH SHORE — Shontae Higginbottom is moving to a new job as chief of a network of Chicago Public Schools from her current role as principal of Bouchet Elementary School.
In the new role, Higginbottom will oversee schools on portions of the West Side of the city.
CPS praised Higginbottom’s work at Bouchet in an announcement of the move.
“Under her leadership, Bouchet has consistently performed at a [high] rating, receiving network honors for improved student achievement in both math and literacy,” a CPS letter said about Higginbottom.
In previous jobs she was called by teachers a principal who should be feared and respected.
Prior to leading Bouchet, Higginbottom had a rocky tenure at King College Prep, where students staged a sit-in after her public clash with a coach ended in her having the coach arrested and fired and where she eventually resigned after losing the backing of parents and the local school council.
She was principal of Avalon Park, where teachers praised her as a severe but effective disciplinarian.
