"Proud Professionals Educating Schools"
PPES Inc.
"OUR STORY"
Our Journey of Integrity, Resilience, and Triumph
At PPES Inc., our story is not just one of educational excellence—it's a testament to the power of integrity, resilience, and unwavering dedication. For over 25 years, we have been at the forefront of transforming schools, supporting communities, and standing against corruption within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. But our journey has not been without its challenges.
As a former teacher, assistant principal, and principal, I dedicated my career to instilling in my students the values of resilience, justice, and the courage to stand up for what is right. These were not just lessons for the classroom but principles I lived by every day. When I founded PPES Inc., my goal was clear: to create an educational model that would lift "low performing" schools to new heights, ensuring that every child had the opportunity to succeed.
Our company quickly became a beacon of hope and progress. We provided essential training programs for students, parents, teachers, and administrators, alongside a wide array of services that made us one of the most sought-after partners in the educational landscape. Our innovative approaches led to substantial improvements in school performance, while also offering critical support to special education students and their families, ensuring they received the care and resources they needed.
Beyond this, we were able to provide hundreds of jobs, helping students and their parents navigate challenging times. Our commitment extended to raising academic achievement, increasing parental involvement, and equipping parents with the skills to become better communicators and even entrepreneurs. We taught teachers advanced strategies to better reach and educate their students, reduced disciplinary issues, improved teacher and students attendance, and helped schools become more effective learning environments.
Additionally, we served as state monitors to ensure special education students received all mandated services and guided schools in maintaining compliance. We also mentored parents, teachers, and principals, fostering a community of growth and support.
Our impact was undeniable—school scores skyrocketed, and the demand for our services grew so rapidly that we developed a waiting list of schools eager to collaborate with us. In total, we provided services and programs to over 450 public, private, charter, magnet, Montessori, STEM, vocational, special education, military, and alternative Chicago Public Schools, making us a vital force in the education community.
However, our success also attracted unwanted attention. When I refused to pay a bribe to a CPS official, including $10,000 for each contract she secured for me, declined to pay $10,000 for a principal job she was selling, and refused to buy a $900 Anne Klein blazer for her, I became the target of relentless retaliation. In return for these payments, she promised to implement my program in all her schools, which would have earned me million dollars. When she discovered that I was already doing business with 60% of her schools, she became enraged and instructed the principals to cancel my contracts.
Additionally, she pressured me to purchase a copier from a salesman, telling me she would receive $500 for each referral. Her principals had already confided in me that she had coerced them into buying one to three copiers each. When I reported this corruption, the retaliation only intensified. When I asked the salesman, he confirmed that he was paying her and offered me the same deal.
All of this happened because I refused to participate in stealing from special education students. For nine long years, I endured defamation, slander, and unbearable treatment from her, her sorority sisters, and her network of friends, all of which nearly destroyed everything I had built with my dedicated and hardworking staff.
Contracts were canceled, my reputation was dragged through the mud, and my health suffered under the weight of constant stress and verbal abuse. I was forced to let go of most of my staff—people who had started with nothing and built a great life for themselves—only to have it all disrupted by the greed of one individual. I was devastated by what she had done to my staff, students, teachers and principals because of her selfish demands, but it also made me more determined to fight back.
The retaliation I faced was more than just an attack on me—it was an attempt to silence anyone who dared to expose the deep-rooted corruption within CPS. My decision to report the corruption brought to light other unethical practices that were harming our students, practices that later led to the conviction of a CPS Superintendent, who was sentenced to prison for steering millions in contracts to a company she was secretly working for.
Despite the overwhelming pressure, I fought back. I sued 13 CPS staff and the Chicago Board of Education, and after nine years of grueling legal battles, I won. The victory was not just for me but for every student, teacher, and parent who believes in the power of education and the importance of doing what is right, no matter the cost. Throughout this ordeal, former CPS attorneys and the former CPS Inspector General were negligent and dismissive, turning a blind eye to the corruption, even when they had the CPS official on tape asking me for money. It wasn’t until the State's Attorney got involved that I finally received the justice I deserved.
There were times when I felt like I couldn’t go on. The weight of the battle, the losses, and the constant challenges were almost too much to bear. But I drew strength from the very values I had taught my students—to be resilient, to stand up for justice, and to never let anyone take you down.
The support from my CPS principals was a lifeline, reminding me that I was not alone in this fight. When some of my principals learned about what I was going through, they came together and reached out to ask when my next conference would be. To my surprise, they not only attended but paid for their entire staff to come with them. This incredible gesture of support was a powerful reminder that people cared deeply about me and were willing to stand by me when they understood the truth of my situation. It was a moment of profound gratitude, showing me that in the face of hardship, there are still those who believe in you, and for that, I was truly grateful.
I weathered the storm, and today, PPES Inc. stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we hold true to our values. Our journey was difficult, but it has also been profoundly rewarding. We have come out stronger, more determined, and more committed than ever to providing the highest quality educational services.
Our story is not just about overcoming adversity; it’s about triumphing in the face of it. We invite you to join us in continuing this journey. Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, principal, or community member, there is a place for you in this movement. Together, we can restore integrity, support our students, and build a brighter future for all.
When people ask if I would go through it all again, my answer is always the same: absolutely! The students, parents, teachers, and principals I've had the privilege to work with mean everything to me, and I would do whatever it takes to support and fight for them, no matter the cost!
Thank you for reading and being part of our story. Your understanding and support mean more than words can express, as you now carry a piece of our journey with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Phyllis Porter
Founder & CEO, PPES Inc.