"Proud Professionals Educating Schools"
PPES Inc.
DR. PHYLLIS A. PORTER
Dr. Phyllis A. Porter is a dynamic leader, CEO, personal, business, and educational consultant, and passionate advocate for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators. With an extraordinary 37-year career in education and consulting, she has dedicated her life to empowering individuals and organizations to overcome challenges, achieve success, and create a lasting impact.
Born into a family grounded in strong values, Dr. Porter grew up as the daughter of a minister and a homemaker, alongside siblings who all went on to earn advanced degrees. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility, compassion, and determination to succeed. From an early age, Dr. Porter demonstrated a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit, opening a candy store at the age of 10.
Set up in the foyer of her hallway, she hired and trained neighborhood kids to assist in running the store and to recruit customers. She even taught her young employees how to handle math and inventory, quickly reinforcing the importance of accuracy by docking their pay for any shortages in the register or missing inventory. These early ventures highlighted her creativity and leadership skills, while sparking her lifelong passion for creating opportunities, fostering responsibility, and empowering others.
Widely regarded as the "Guru of Education," Dr. Porter is renowned for her ability to tackle 99% of school-related issues. Whether it’s improving discipline, increasing parental involvement, raising test scores, boosting morale, enhancing attendance, or developing effective curricula, she provides innovative solutions that drive measurable results. Her expertise and leadership have made her a trusted figure in the field of education, transforming schools and empowering educators to achieve excellence.
Throughout her career, Dr. Porter has faced significant challenges, including experiencing injustice, discrimination, and retaliation. These experiences, while difficult, only strengthened her resolve and fueled her passion for advocating for others. Her resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to her determination to stand against injustice and fight for what is right. These trials not only shaped her as a leader but also positioned her to help others navigate their own struggles with strength and confidence.
Dr. Porter began her journey in education in 1987 as a substitute teacher. Recognizing her need to grow and refine her skills, she returned to school to earn her teaching credentials and sought mentorship from experienced educators, including her sister. She spent her prep periods observing skilled teachers and learning effective strategies for classroom management and instruction.
These efforts paid off, and in her very first year of teaching, she became a highly effective educator known for her ability to turn around even the most “challenging, energetic, and high-spirited” classes. Her connection with her students was so profound that all 30 students from her first class participated in her wedding, which was attended by over 500 guests—a remarkable testament to the deep and lasting bonds she builds with those she teaches.
As her career progressed, Dr. Porter quickly rose through the ranks—a nearly unheard-of feat in the field of education. She advanced from teacher to assistant principal, principal, and eventually to leadership roles like Project Director at DePaul University. Since 1999, she has served as the CEO of PPES Inc., where she has led transformative initiatives impacting over 450 Chicago Public Schools. Her innovative programs, professional development workshops, seminars, and strategic plans have revolutionized student achievement, teacher retention, and overall school performance.
Dr. Porter’s expertise spans a wide range of areas. She teaches parents how to create better opportunities for their children, equips teachers with effective methodologies, organizational strategies, and classroom management skills, and trains students to take responsibility and become role models. For school principals, she offers strategies to run schools like thriving businesses, where student achievement is the profit and poor outcomes such as low-test scores and morale are the deficits to overcome. Through her guidance, principals learn time management, motivation, delegation, and techniques to uplift and inspire their staff.
Dr. Porter’s drive to succeed is matched by her competitive spirit. She believes in the value of winning but also emphasizes the importance of good sportsmanship and learning from every experience. Her ability to combine strategic leadership with compassion and resilience has earned her the trust and admiration of her clients and colleagues.
Widely admired for her unwavering commitment and determination, Dr. Porter is often described as a mentor, a “big sister,” and a steadfast advocate for those she supports. Known for her perseverance and dedication, she fights tirelessly for what is right, standing by others until challenges are overcome. Her focus on integrity, empowerment, and achieving meaningful results has earned her the trust and respect of those she works with.
Whether standing up against injustice or coaching her clients to success, Dr. Phyllis A. Porter is unwavering in her mission to create a better future for students, educators, and school communities. Her work continues to transform lives, one student, one teacher, and one school at a time.