Dr. Margaret Byrne

I am truly thrilled to be joining the Jahn School of Fine Arts community as principal beginning in September 2025. Chicago Public Schools has been my professional home since 2003, and in that time I’ve had the joy of serving students, families, and staff across our incredible city. CPS is in my heart — quite literally — as I come from a long line of CPS educators and leaders. Continuing this family legacy is a privilege I hold close.

For the past nine years, I have been the principal at Northwest Middle School, where I had the honor of working with an exceptional team and community. Together, we focused on building strong relationships, empowering student voice, and creating a school culture where everyone felt seen, supported, and celebrated. My doctoral studies in Urban Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago reinforced and deepened my belief in collaboration, shared leadership, and the power of school communities to inspire meaningful change — lessons that shaped so much of our success.

What drew me to Jahn is what makes it so special: a deep commitment to diversity, the arts, curiosity, and authentic community. Jahn radiates creativity, belonging, and joy — and I feel incredibly fortunate to join a place where students' identities and talents are nurtured and celebrated every day.

I can’t wait to meet each of you, listen and learn from this wonderful community, and partner together to continue building a joyful, inclusive, and inspiring school experience for all students. Thank you for welcoming me with such warmth — I am so excited for this next chapter with you.

With gratitude and great enthusiasm,
 Dr. Margaret Byrne