The Joseph C. Vallez Award was created in 2019 by the North Berwyn Park District Board of Commissioners to be bestowed upon a community member who emulates Outstanding Service, Exceptional Leadership, Visionary Guidance and Dedication in Improving the Quality of Life in the City of Berwyn.

This year that honor belongs to Illinois Superintendent of Education Carmen I. Ayala Ph.D.

Dr. Ayala has dedicated her life to the education field where her career has spanned for more than 35 years.  She began her teaching career in the Chicago Public Schools before moving on to the Aurora East School District where she was a teacher, a director of Bilingual Services, and eventually assistant superintendent.  She was the director of School Improvement and Programs in Algonquin, and later the assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Plainfield.

All of that experience created the path for her to come to North Berwyn.  In 2012, she became the first female, the first Latina, and the first woman of color to lead Berwyn North District 98 as superintendent.  Her goal was to bring culturally responsive teaching and leadership into the schools because she feels that students are more engaged when they see their cultures represented in what they learn.  That every student deserves to feel welcomed, included, and accepted inside of a school.  

When putting on a “superintendent hat,” it can sometimes be a thankless job.  No matter what decision you make, there will always be someone out there who is not pleased.  To be a superintendent, you need broad shoulders and sometimes feel like you need to wear a body armor suit to protect yourself from all of the blows coming your way.  And yes, there was an institute day where Dr Ayala came out in front of the entire teaching staff wearing a full metal body armor suit ready to take any and all questions they had for her.  

What it will read on Dr. Ayala’s trophy is:  “when you DREAM big, BELIEVE in your talents, and strive to ACHIEVE your highest goals and aspirations…anything is possible.”

Then in February 2019, those dreams led her to become the 30th State Superintendent in the State of Illinois.  Again becoming the first female, first Latina, and first woman of color to serve as permanent state superintendent.

In February 2019, everything happened so quickly.  The District 98 Staff found out on social media and later in a recorded message that Dr Ayala was leaving Berwyn North and heading to Springfield.  As I said earlier, being a superintendent can sometimes feel like a thankless job.  What is nice about establishing this award, it allows us the chance to give Dr. Ayala a proper good-bye from Berwyn and thank her for her services to students, staff, families, and community of Berwyn North.

The North Berwyn Park District Board of Commissioners wanted to make sure Dr. Ayala’s contributions to the City of Berwyn will never be forgotten and where her legacy will live on for future generations to come.  Berwyn North School District 98 would not be where it is today without Dr. Ayala, but Dr. Ayala would not be where she is today without Berwyn.  We hope Berwyn will always feel like home to you.  This award tonight is our way of simply saying, “Thank You.”

Congratulations and Thank You Dr. Carmen I. Ayala!!

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