LM Aug.2019--19158

Register Now!

She also served as the assistant superintendent for Curriculumand Instruction at Plainfield District #202 prior to her service in Berwyn. Additionally, Ayala served as the director of School Improvement and Programs at Community Consolidated School District #300. She also served as an assistant superintendent, director of Bilingual Services, and teacher in Aurora East School District #131. She began her career in education as a teacher in Chicago Public Schools. Throughout her career, Dr. Ayala has receivedmultiple honors, including the 2018 Leadership Award and the Excellence in Education Award from the League of Latin American Citizens, as well as the Kane County Distinguished Educator award. She previously served as an executive boardmember on the Latino Policy Forum, where she championed equitable funding and increased resources for English Learners. She has held positions on numerous boards and committees, including the Illinois State Board of Education Bilingual Advisory Council, IllinoisWomen in Educational Leadership, Illinois Resource Center and the Illinois Professional Review Panel for Evidence-Based Funding. Ayala earned her bachelor’s degree fromMundelein College with a focus on bilingual-bicultural education and Spanish literature. She went on to earn her master’s degree in business administration fromDominican University and her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University of Chicago.

It’s our responsibility as school administrators to prepare all students, from every background, for the future. And today that calls for a transformation to reimagine our education system. From CTE, to competency- based education, to cultural and trauma Innovating for Excellence

responsiveness, Illinois schools are breaking new ground as they innovate toward excellence.

13

LM August 2019