Angie Gulley

Angie and I were introduced through our mutual colleague Felicia Butts, whose team Angie is part of. She tells me that her story begins as her mother went into labor with her at church, a fitting start for someone whose faith plays a central role in her life. Most of her early life was spent immersed in the church community.

Born and raised in Chicago, Angie attended private school before moving to Glen Ellyn for high school. She graduated from College of Dupage in 2005 and later returned to Columbia College Chicago (CCC) in 2009 to study theater. During her time at Columbia, Angie embraced the college experience she missed earlier, fully immersing herself in the vibrant campus life, including parties and celebrations.

From a young age, Angie knew she loved performing, particularly singing and dancing. After high school, she attended junior college, where her family, recognizing her natural rapport with children, encouraged her to pursue a career in early childhood education. Her mother played a significant role in guiding her path and encouraging her to develop a career in the field. 

The Executive Director of a local Head Start program offered Angie a position in early childhood education, which she eagerly accepted. She went on to complete her credits to become an assistant teacher and moved to a Head Start program on the West Side, working with preschoolers aged 3-5.

During this time at Head Start, several of the sites under the particular program she worked at, closed. All these sites were under the same company, and there are two sites still open. She took time in 2008 to look after her father, who was ill, and in a nursing home. 

In 2009 she decided to go back to college, at Columbia College Chicago, for theater. She vividly  remembers the memorable welcome party for the incoming class in Grant Park, reveling in the freedom and creativity of the students she was surrounded by .

During this time, she worked at Navy Pier, where she operated the rides (including the Ferris Wheel), helping people on and off the rides, and interacting with them: an experience that allowed her to see Chicago through the eyes of a tourist. As an introverted extrovert, she appreciated the city's beauty while also witnessing how amazing people can be, and how awful they can be. In 2015, while at Navy Pier during the winter, Angie received a call from a former colleague, who was the Executive Director of the Head Start company she worked at, offering her a new position. Although she returned to the program, she soon applied for and transitioned to a role at CPS, where she found a supportive and engaging environment.

In her current work, Angie enjoys influencing the people who work with children, making a significant impact on their lives. She has learned valuable lessons about the importance of failure: “If you don’t feel like it blessed you, you can learn from it and that in itself is a blessing”. 

When I ask her about the key influences in her life, she tells me about her mother, who has always been a supporter and guide. She also has a tight-knit, communal family, who often gather to discuss and resolve issues.

In her free time, Angie enjoys watching movies, cooking, and baking - this is a particular passion of hers. She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Simba, and dreams of traveling more in the future, seeing it as an investment in broadening her horizons. Herartistic talents are notable as well; she was involved in the production of "The Wiz" (ASL version), and has performed at the Second City, while attending CCC. 

She has a remarkable life story marked by faith, resilience, and a deep passion for the arts and education, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.