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* Press release…
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala has announced plans to retire at the end of her current contract, which concludes January 31st, 2023. Dr. Ayala has served as State Superintendent since early 2019, shepherding Illinois schools through COVID-19 and kickstarting their academic recovery – leading most recently to a decade-high in the state’s graduation rate. As the capstone of her nearly four-decade career in education, Ayala was the first woman and the first person of color to serve as permanent superintendent for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
“Dr. Ayala represents the highest level of dedication to public service, and over her long career she has positively impacted thousands of Illinois students,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Not only did Dr. Ayala’s steadfast leadership guide our schools through an unprecedented pandemic, but she also kick-started students’ academic recovery. Under her leadership, we’ve seen significant growth in high school graduation rates and other key educational metrics, a true testament to her hard work and dedication to Illinois students. I’m grateful for her service and wish her and her family all the best for a well-deserved retirement.”
Prior to her appointment as State Superintendent, Ayala served as superintendent of Berwyn North School District, assistant superintendent in Plainfield and Aurora East Districts, and as a classroom teacher in Aurora and in Chicago Public Schools. Ayala provided steadfast leadership for Illinois schools during COVID-19, overseeing an unprecedented shift to virtual and socially distanced learning.
During Ayala’s time at ISBE, the state recorded its highest high school graduation rate since reporting began in 2011, driven by increased graduation rates for Black and Hispanic students under Ayala’s equity-focused leadership. ISBE also saw educator retention and diversity increase during her tenure. Ayala also shepherded the development and implementation of the 2020-2023 ISBE Strategic Plan and the creation of the Equity Journey Continuum, which helps school districts identify gaps in students’ access to opportunities, resources, and supports.
Ayala is a graduate of Mundelein College, Dominican University, and Loyola University of Chicago with undergraduate, masters of business administration, and doctorate in educational leadership and policy degrees. She previously served as an executive board member on the Latino Policy Forum, where she championed equitable funding and increased resources for English Learners. Dr. Ayala has held positions on numerous boards and committees, including the Illinois State Board of Education Bilingual Advisory Council, Illinois Women in Educational Leadership, Illinois Resource Center, and the Illinois Professional Review Panel for Evidence-Based Funding.
Thoughts?
…Adding… These Awake IL people are so ridiculously melodramatic and, well, other things…
Having looked her in the eyes at a state board of Ed meeting - to speak of the evil they rained down on children - I’m left worrying who will fill her shoes.
Illinois’ state schools superintendent Carmen Ayala announces retirement https://t.co/f6h6Zw8Ixm
— Shannon Adcock (@Shannon_A_IL) November 18, 2022
Either Thiele (Downers Grove Sup) or Sanders, (Elgin U46 Sup) ;
Or an “equity” hire. 🙄
— Awake “NO to AMENDMENT 1” Illinois (@Awake_IL) November 18, 2022
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 9:51 am
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Waiting for DeVore to take credit in 3-2-1…
Comment by Highland IL Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 9:55 am
Andy Manar for State Superintendent??
Comment by ThanosSnapJudgment Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 9:56 am
I hope she enjoys retirement. She did good work here in Berwyn north. It’s a challenging district, without a lot of wealth. At the time she served, there were a lot of new ESL students. And the city is officially bilingual (Span-Eng). Which means that all official communication is in both languages.
Comment by cermak_rd Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:21 am
DeVore is celebrating this morning, but he’s more focused on Jim Durkin and telling him to resign now. Before he gets voted out in the next election. For someone who just got slaughtered in the election DeVore really thinks he tough now.
Comment by Club J Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:23 am
So they proclaim that ISBE is evil. And then they bring out their racism with the “equity hire” comment. Such quality people these people are. Certainly the kind of people I would want having influence on my children’s education. /s/
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:28 am
Echoing @cermak_rd. Thank you for your service, Dr. Ayala.
Comment by Chito Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:33 am
The hateful and vile that comes from Awake Illinois is a constant reminder that those seeking to be “beacons” for the “unheard” are actually projecting minority thoughts that run in the circles of racist thinking and hate.
They add nothing to a better Illinois.
To Dr. Carmen Ayala,
My sincere best wishes as you retire and enjoy a private life outside your life’s work. Thank you for your service.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:42 am
I would be interested in hearing what “max[ing] out the woke meter” means.
Like do you level up and can’t go any higher? Do you still get to put your XP into other things? /S
Also, like Demoralized said, if you put equity in quotes, you are definitely telling on yourself.
Comment by DHS Drone Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:55 am
Awake Illinois is so thin skinned.
Comment by Glengarry Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 10:56 am
Sharia Shannon. Imagine how awful it would be to be her neighbor.
Comment by Springfieldish Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 11:07 am
Shannon was on a FB live yesterday of Lurie Children’s physicians urging parents to get their children updated flu shots, accusing them of working for ‘big pharma’ and for trying to kill kids with experimental vaccines…I truly cannot understand how someone can become so vile.
Comment by Treefiddy Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 11:13 am
==experimental vaccines==
The lunacy that came about during Covid amazes me. We had people coming out of the woodwork opposing all vaccines. The “lets bring back polio” crowd.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 11:18 am
Ayala won’t be missed by me either. That has nothing to do with masks and all the right wing stuff. She really didn’t listen much to school leaders, meaning hear us out versus do as we say. Communication was poor as well.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Nov 18, 22 @ 12:11 pm