James Thurman, principal of Success Academy West, brings 18 years of experience in teaching and school leadership across urban and rural districts, including Chicago Public Schools and Baltimore City Public Schools. His career has included roles as literacy coordinator for coaching, resident principal at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, and, most recently, principal with a focus on whole-child development and restorative practices. He holds degrees in English literature, secondary education, and educational leadership.
Thurman said he is guided by the words of W.E.B. Du Bois: “Education is the development of power and ideals.” He said those words, paired with his experience as an educator, have shaped his leadership style, which prioritizes student success and support.
A defining moment in Thurman’s career came when he attended the graduation of his first AVID class. “We had spent four years together helping the students navigate the challenges of high school; supporting one another through the struggles of ninth and tenth grade while striving for success in AP courses and college acceptances,” he said. “What we discovered along the way was the power of collective focus and perseverance: when we set a shared goal and worked together, we could achieve more than we imagined. Watching those students walk across the stage, surrounded by their families and celebrating their accomplishments, reinforced my belief that strong relationships, high expectations, and a unified vision are essential for student success, and it continues to shape how I lead today.”