Dr. Alyssa Shapiro will shift over to become the director of multi-tiered systems of support, effective July 1
Diana Granados joins the district as a language services coordinator, also effective July 1
Cristy Martinez will become a student services coordinator, effective July 1
The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on May 16 voted unanimously to appoint a new director of multi-tiered systems of support, a new coordinator of language services and a new student services coordinator.
Dr. Alyssa Shapiro will step into the director position after serving successfully as the principal of Twain Elementary School since July 2020. She previously served as an assistant principal of North Elementary School in Des Plaines-based Community Consolidated School District 62, as well as a bi-literacy teacher and specialist in Kildeer Countryside School District 96.
“A few years ago, we reignited our MTSS process here at the district level and, with a number of stakeholders, tried to move some things along,” said Dr. Beatrice Childress, assistant superintendent for equity and learning. “What we have seen as we’ve tried to work through this over the last three years is that it just really needs more attention. Our teams and our buildings need some more dedicated attention and, as such, we wanted to create this position.”
In recommending her approval, district administrators credited Shapiro for “ensuring an academically rigorous and supportive learning environment for all students.”
I have loved my time at Twain and [I am excited] to be able to continue and just really make a difference throughout the district,” Shapiro said.
Diana Granados will step into the language services coordinator after serving successfully as a teacher in Round Lake Area School District 116. She previously worked as a teacher in a two-way dual language immersion program in Elk Grove Village-based Community Consolidated School District 59, and taught in Aguascalientes, Mexico, before moving to the area.
In recommending her approval, district administrators said Granados “is a strong advocate for multilingual students and their families.”
“I am beyond excited and honored to become part of the district as your language coordinator,” Granados said. “Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a leader in the community. I want to share my talents and strengths with this wonderful community and together reach our goals as we help maximize the potential of our students and staff.”
Cristy Martinez will join the team of student services coordinators, effective July 1. She shifts over to the role after serving successfully as a speech language pathologist within the district for the past 14 years.
In recommending her approval, district administrators said she stood out as a candidate “because of her strong early literacy skills in working with Spanish bilingual students.”
“I have loved working the past 14 years at Whitman predominantly, but I am excited to step into this role and continue to work with Whitman and two other elementary schools,” Martinez said.
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