STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY

Contact information: 
jacquelynward10@gmail.com

Educator | Pension Fiduciary | Union Leader | Community Advocate

SUMMARY

Jacquelyn Price Ward is an educator, activist, organizer, and community leader. She serves as Vice President of the 12-member Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) Board of Trustees and was elected to represent Teachers in 2018, with two subsequent re-elections. 

In her role as Trustee, Jacquelyn acts as a fiduciary for CTPF’s $13.4 billion in assets and is responsible for setting investment policy and supporting the financial security of the Fund’s 96,000 members. She was elected Recording Secretary in 2018, Financial Secretary in 2020, and Vice President in 2022. She has chaired several committees including Finance and Audit, Pension Laws and Administrative Rules, Claims and Service Credits, and is currently Chair of the Investment Committee. In 2024, she received a Trailblazer Award from the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP) for contributions to diversity and inclusion in financial services.

Jacquelyn has over 30 years of service in Chicago Public Schools and currently works as a special education teacher at Bond Elementary. Outside the classroom, she has participated in local school councils and parent organizations. She has led scholarship and budget initiatives through her church, where she has been a member for more than 40 years. Since 1989, she has been part of the Chicago Teachers Union, and has held multiple leadership roles, including Recording Secretary and bargaining team member. Widely regarded as a role model in her community, across the state, and nationally, she is a tireless educator, mentor, and advocate who leads by example and firmly believes in the power of organizing to build a better community. Her devotion to education is not just a profession but a lifelong mission to empower others, protect public institutions, and build a more just and inclusive society. She has dedicated her life to public service, labor advocacy, educational equity, and community empowerment. 

ELECTED & BOARD SERVICE

Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund, Board of Trustees

Elected 2018; re-elected 2019, 2022.Vice President, 2022–Present

• Financial Secretary, 2020–2022
• Recording Secretary, 2018–2020
• Committee Leadership: Chair, Investment Committee (current).
• Prior Chair: Finance & Audit; Pension Laws & Administrative Rules; Claims & Service Credits; Communications
• Fiduciary scope: Set policy for $13.4B multi-asset portfolio; oversee manager selection, risk, compliance, and long-term funding strategy for 96,000 members.

Trustee Priorities & Governance Focus 

• Maintain responsible investment screens (e.g., firearms, tobacco, fossil fuels) and avoid strategies misaligned with public education and worker interests.
• Ensure that policy goals are enforced including divestment initiatives.
• Consistently monitor fees and advocate for reductions and responsible stewardship.
• Enforce rigorous due diligence with the Executive Director; recruit, hire, and monitor independent advisors and staff to meet and exceed fund objectives in members’ best interests.
• Protect contribution integrity by monitoring charter-school employer participation to ensure all qualified workers and employers fund the plan appropriately.
• Strengthen fiduciary oversight while cultivating meaningful member voice and stakeholder engagement.

2024 NASP Trailblazer Award Recipient

Awarded the 2024 Trailblazer Award, for contributions to diversity and inclusion in financial services by the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP).

National Council of Teachers Retirement (NCTR)

Trustee Education and Nominations Committees.
NCTR Annual Conference Delegate.
NCTR is a national association comprised of state, local, and territorial public retirement systems representing more than 19 million members. 

American Federation of Teachers Living Legacy Award

In recognition of 30 years of exceptional leadership and union advocacy in support of women’s rights, July 16, 2018.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Bond Elementary School (Chicago Public Schools), Englewood, Chicago|2012–Present

Middle School Science Teacher; Special Education Cluster Teacher 
(Grades 6–8)

• Design and deliver standards-aligned instruction and IEP-driven support; implement data-based interventions and inclusive practices.

Marquette Elementary School (Chicago Public Schools), Marquette Park, Chicago | 2004-2012

• Math & Science Specialist | 2009–2012
• Lead Literacy Teacher | 2007–2009.
• School Librarian | 2004–2006

Paul Revere Elementary School (Chicago Public Schools), Calumet Township, Chicago | 1997-2001

• First Grade Lead Teacher | 2000–2001
• Coordinated curriculum implementation, chaired grade-level planning, led Accelerated Reader program; launched tech-based parent engagement after Web Institute for Teachers training (UChicago)
• Third Grade Bridge Teacher | 1997–2000
• Special Education Teacher | 1988–1997
• Taught in S/ED self-contained, LD & S/ED resource, and cross-categorical settings; led assessment, IEP goal setting, and progress monitoring.

CTU Quality Education Standards of Teaching (QUEST) | 1992–1995

• Site Coordinator; instructor for “Teaching for Active Learning” and “Learning in Overdrive” programming
• Co-developer of five published performance-based instructional and assessment units.

UNION LEADERSHIP

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) — Member, 1988–Present

• Recording Secretary | 2001–2004
• Maintained official records; officer liaison to CTPF and 
  Jacqueline B. Vaughn Graduate School
• Supervised Quest Center, Early Childhood, and Elementary Steering Committees
• Co-chaired CTU-CPS Special Education Committee and Partnership Schools Project
• Coordinated special events; launched Student Special Assistance Fund, raising $50K+ annually.
• Roles: Women’s Rights Committee Chair; Executive Board; 
  Big Bargaining Team; School Delegate (Revere 1989–2001; 
  Marquette 2005–2012; Bond 2012–2022).
• Advocacy & Organizing: CORE supporter; organizer and spokesperson on school turnarounds and charter expansion; strike leader; notary support for mayoral campaigns.
• Currently Executive Board Member, Convention Delegate and CTU Trustee 2012-Present. 

Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT)

• Vice President | 2001–2004; Convention Delegate
• Chair, Benefits Committee Member; service on Professional Development, Human & Civil Rights, and Leadership & Professional Committees.

American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

• Trustee Leadership Council; officer liaison to Educational Issues Department and ER&D Project; liaison to NCLB Committee
• Graduate, AFT Union Leadership Institute

Illinois AFL-CIO

• Convention Delegate | 2001-2004

COMMUNITY & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Bread of Life M.B. Church (44 years of membership)

• Chair of the Scholarship Committee, supporting educational advancement for youth.
• Chair of the Budget Committee, contributing to financial stewardship and planning.
• Sunday School Teacher, fostering spiritual and educational growth.

Parent and School Engagement

• Active PTO Member, promoting parent involvement in education.
• Served on the Local School Council (LSC) at Revere Elementary, and Marquette Elementary, participating in school governance and decision-making.

EDUCATION

University of Illinois at Chicago
M.Ed. Policy Studies and Administration. 

University of Illinois at Chicago
M.Ed. Elementary Education, Learning Disabilities (LD), Cognitive Disabilities (CD) & Social/ Emotional Disorders (S/ED).

Illinois State University, Normal
B.S. Home Economics with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising, Clothing, Textiles and Marketing.

Licensure and Endorsements

Standard Elementary Teaching 
K-9 #2025487 (Type 03) 

Endorsements:  LD, CD, S/ED (LBS-I), Reading Specialist, Math Specialist, Social Studies, Science Specialist, Library Media Specialist & Home Economics.

Standard Secondary Teaching 
6-12 #2025488 (Type 9)

Administrative License Type 75

Disclaimer: CTPF is not responsible for the content of this material and has not verified any of the information.