Kara May

Kara Bickhem May, a nearly-30 year educator, has deeply invested in providing unparalleled opportunities for middle and high school students through her work as the Founding Principal and now Director of Partnerships & Creative Development of Art In Motion (AIM), a creative arts charter school on the South Side of Chicago. Art In Motion is not simply a school; by design, it is a philosophy and a community of artists, educators, and leaders. Kara, also a vocalist, writer, consultant and coach, is passionate about art and education, and pairs the two in order to create and support a unique learning model and environment for students at AIM. It is critical to Kara that her community recognizes its potential and is positioned to achieve it, despite the societal noise. Kara is a compassionate leader and strives to make every decision with equity in mind, providing the framework for all constituents to envision students beyond their classroom walls. She believes in creating the future her students want and deserve, and works to lead, create and dream with the AIM family. From her youth, Kara knew that she would be an educator, and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in French and a dual minor in Music and English as well as a Masters of Arts in Education with an English and French concentration, from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. She earned a second Masters in Educational Leadership from Governors State University in University Park, IL.