Javier Arriola-Lopez has been the proud principal of Rachel Carson Elementary School for the last sixteen years, leading one of the over forty dual language schools in Chicago. A native of Mexico who immigrated to the United States when he was 16, he became the first person in his family to graduate from college. As a principal, Javier Arriola-Lopez has provided many opportunities for his students by bringing programs that enhance their academic experience. Additionally, in 2015, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) launched the first cohort of Independent School Principals. That year, Javier Arriola-Lopez was selected to be part of CPS’ Independent School Principal (ISP) program. The ISP program allowed experienced, high-performing principals to run their schools with less oversight from the Central Office and greater flexibility to innovate.