Ayala named new state school superintendent
Tuesday, Feb 26, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
With the strong support of Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Education today named Dr. Carmen I. Ayala as the 30th State Superintendent of Education, making her the first woman and first person of color to serve as the permanent superintendent.
Dr. Ayala has more than 30 years of education experience, most recently serving as the Superintendent of the Berwyn North School District. She previously served as an Assistant Superintendent in Plainfield District 202, Director in Community Consolidated School District 300, and as an Assistant Superintendent, Director of Bilingual Services, and a teacher at the Aurora East School District. She began her career at Chicago Public Schools, serving as a teacher for five years. Dr. Ayala received her Bachelor of Arts from Mundelein College, her MBA from Dominican University, and her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University of Chicago.
“For decades, Dr. Ayala has worked to ensure her students receive a high-quality public education, and I’m thrilled that families across Illinois will now benefit from her leadership,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “There is nothing more important to the future of our state and our economy than providing a quality public education, and I know that Dr. Ayala will be a strong partner in ensuring students in all of our communities receive the education they deserve. My focus will be continuing to invest in education, even during budget challenges, so that school districts receive the support they deserve, including with the largest-ever increase in early childhood education.”
“I’m honored to serve as our state’s Superintendent of Education and grateful to the board members for placing their trust in me,” said Dr. Ayala. “Governor Pritzker has made it clear that education will be a top priority for the new administration, and I look forward to our work ahead. Together, I know we can break down barriers to opportunity and ensure that students of all races, backgrounds, income levels and zip codes receive a strong education in Illinois.”
Dr. Ayala was also on Pritzker’s transition team.
- Jack - Tuesday, Feb 26, 19 @ 2:49 pm:
Carmen is a great choice. She turned around her district and has been active in state issues for years now, on all sorts of task forces and boards, highly focused on equity.
- Shamrockery - Tuesday, Feb 26, 19 @ 3:55 pm:
==She turned around her district==
More of this, please (banned punctuation)
- Honeybadger - Tuesday, Feb 26, 19 @ 4:42 pm:
I’ve known Dr Ayala for a few years now and I think she is a great choice. Good job JB
- Elliott Ness - Tuesday, Feb 26, 19 @ 5:42 pm:
Excellent choice, Equity champion and educator
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 26, 19 @ 6:36 pm:
I don’t know her or anything about her but my hope is she represents all school not just high poverty urban schools or suburban schools.
- Former ISBE Employee - Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 8:24 am:
I hope she stops the bleeding at ISBE. The turnover in Teaching and Learning is rampant. It causes a lot of misinformation and delays in grant approval and licensure.
- C Ball - Wednesday, Feb 27, 19 @ 9:53 am:
While clearly a good appointment — I agree with the others on her achievements — the process is surprising. The board was just named and immediately appoints a permanent superintendent. When Rauner appointed Smith without a national search, an ISBE member resigned. Prior superintendents were appointed after national searches.