Martinez's opinion piece published Tuesday in the Chicago Tribune comes as the school district is expected to adopt a resolution at its monthly board meeting Thursday that prevents any district-run schools from closing through the 2026-27 school year.

Tensions are escalating between supporters of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez and Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has called for Martinez to resign.

Later, at Benito Juarez High School, the support of teachers, counselors and community members led me to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I fully realized how education could transform my life.