Meet the Locals behind the Philosophy

No ivory towers here. Just practical wisdom.

We aren't sages living on a mountaintop. We are Chicagoans living in Ravenswood, working day jobs, and dealing with traffic just like you. The difference is that we use philosophy as our compass to navigate it all.

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Meet the Chicago Team

The People Behind New Acropolis Chicago

The instructors at New Acropolis Chicago are philosophers in practice, dedicated to teaching practical philosophy and applying timeless wisdom through education, culture, and service.

Director

Gilad Sommer

Gilad has been leading New Acropolis Chicago since 2005. He believes that philosophy is best taught through example. His book 'Above All, Be Good: The Story of the Stoics and their teachings', came out in 2019. Apart from teaching philosophy at New Acropolis, Gilad holds an MA in teaching English, and he teaches international students at Northeastern Illinois University at the SAELL program. When he isn't teaching, you can find him reading and playing his guitar.

Shira Sommer - New Acropolis Chicago.avif

Director of Communications

Shira Segev Sommer

Shira is the voice that connects our community. She believes that philosophy is about relationships, how we treat each other and how we build community. She manages our outreach and ensures that every new student who walks through our doors feels like they belong. Professionaly, Shira is an expert postpartum doula and a nanny who integrates the human values of philosophy with childcare. When she's not teaching philosophy, you can find her riding her bike in the city and taking care of kiddos!

Leo Consuegra - New Acropolis Chicago.avif

Facilities Manager

Leopoldo Consuegra

Philosophy is about order, and Leopoldo brings that order to our physical space. He ensures our Ravenswood center is a welcoming, functioning home for all our activities. A firm believer in the "philosophy of work," he teaches that the care we put into our environment reflects the state of our mind.

Not Just Academics

Look around our classroom on a Wednesday night, and you won't just see "intellectuals." You’ll see nurses, graphic designers, retirees, college students, and tradespeople.

We are a cross-section of Chicago. What unites us isn't our background, but our hunger to grow.

We are Seekers: People looking for depth beyond a surface level culture.
We are Doers: People who want to volunteer and improve our city.
We are Friends: A community that supports each other through the ups and downs of life.

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