2025-2027 EAC Spotlight: Tyler Chance
This fall, Advance Illinois welcomed the 2025-2027 Educator Advisory Council (EAC) cohort, bringing together educators across early childhood to postsecondary, representing the diversity across Illinois. In the next two years, they will deepen their policy knowledge, explore the root causes of the disparities we see in education, and take action together through advocacy efforts including legislative testimony, writing op-eds, and organizing their peers. As part of the 2025-2027 EAC Cohort Spotlight series, we look forward to introducing each member and highlighting their journeys as educators and the experiences they bring to this space.
Introducing: Tyler Chance, Assistant Principal
Tell us a little about your teaching journey — what subjects, grades, or communities have you served?
I started my career in education by teaching political science courses at the college level. I switched to secondary education because I wanted to be part of the community life of a high school and to support young people as they navigate the many choices they face during their teenage years. At the time, there were fewer pathways to transition into education from another career, so I joined Teach for America, where I taught English Language Arts and American Government at a charter school in downtown St. Louis. I then moved back to Southern Illinois and taught high schools in the region before starting my current role as Assistant Principal in Carbondale.
What are some challenges or opportunities you see in education today that motivate your work?
To me, education is all about creating opportunities for people to pursue success on their own terms. In order to make sure that every student has those opportunities, it is important for schools to be adequately funded, for students to be prepared for college and career, and for curriculum and programming to be equitable for students from all backgrounds.
Another way we support student opportunities is by having a strong and diverse teacher workforce. I did not take a traditional path to K–12 education, so I am deeply passionate about ensuring that there are opportunities for people who care about students to pursue education as a career. I believe there are many people who would make outstanding teachers if only they could find an affordable on-ramp to high-quality training.
How does being part of the EAC connect to your goals or passions as an educator?
I am excited to be on the EAC and to work with like-minded educators to advocate for students to ensure they are equipped with what they need to live choice-filled lives, to support adequate school funding, and to make the profession of education accessible to those who want to make a difference for young people.
Can you share an example of a time you advocated for your students, school, or community?
In the past, I have worked with Teach Plus to provide districts with best practices on how they can better support teachers of color and retain a diverse faculty. I have also worked with ISBE to create performance level descriptors that help educators, students, and parents understand how classroom work relates to ACT results.
What advice would you give students to help them stay inspired?
School is a time to try new things, make mistakes, learn from them, and begin to get to know the person you want to be. You’ll always have help if you ask for it. Work hard at what makes you happy.
Learn more about the Educator Advisory Council here.