Seven new members of the Chicago Board of Education, including Meléndez, will be sworn in June 26
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, June 4, 2019 — In a press conference held at the Lionel Hampton Fine & Performing Arts School on June 3, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot named Erikson professor Luisiana Meléndez to the Chicago Board of Education (CBOE). A native of the Dominican Republic and an educator for the past 30 years, Meléndez is an Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the ESL program at Erikson Institute, one of the nation’s premier graduate schools dedicated to child development.
Other new members of the CBOE are: former Illinois Senator Miguel del Valle (president), Chicago finance leader Sendhil Revuluri (vice president), state tax auditor Dwayne Truss, University of Illinois – Chicago history professor Elizabeth Todd-Breland, marketing professional Lucino Sotelo, and former teacher and principal Amy Rome.
“The strength of our schools lies in their diversity, which is why we’ve announced a new board with strong representation to reflect the diverse voices of the students, families, teachers and staff they serve,” said Mayor Lightfoot during the Monday morning press conference. The new board will be sworn in before the June 26 monthly meeting and according to Lightfoot, will conduct more of its business in public session as part of a “transparent process that includes public input.”
The new board will be sworn in before the June 26 monthly meeting and according to Lightfoot, will conduct more of its business in public session as part of a “transparent process that includes public input.”
“I feel honored by the opportunity to serve the children and youth in Chicago Public Schools through my appointment to the Chicago Board of Education,” said Meléndez. “I look forward to bringing my professional interest in cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as my experience as an early childhood teacher and teacher educator, to the important work we are doing.” She continued, “I am encouraged by the commitment to equity that Mayor Lightfoot highlights as one of her administration’s central values, which closely align with Erikson Institute’s mission.”
Erikson Institute educates, inspires, and promotes leadership to serve the needs of children and families. We have the premier graduate school dedicated to child development. We provide direct services to our community’s most vulnerable children and families. We are leaders in influencing early childhood policy. We work tirelessly every day so that all children can achieve optimal educational, social, emotional, and physical well-being. At Erikson Institute, we know that investing in the early years of children will last a lifetime.
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