D90 Selects New Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Superintendent Ed Condon today announced the selection of Alison Hawley, Ed.D. as the new Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Hawley will begin in her new role on July 1, following the resignation of long-time and well-regarded Director of Student Services, Martha Ryan-Toye.

Dr. Hawley was selected following an extensive search and interview process that involved stakeholder groups of faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and Board members. Prior to this position, she served as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Winnetka Public Schools in Winnetka, Ill.

"After conducting an elaborate search for this position, I believe that Dr. Hawley has the appropriate experience and approachable temperament that is the right fit for the District and our students, staff, and families,” said Superintendent Ed Condon. "There were several reasons behind Alison’s selection including her deep knowledge of the Common Core State Standards and experience facilitating the adoption of curriculum materials that align with those standards. Her extensive experiences with school administration, curriculum and instruction, along with her commitment to professional growth for faculty and a collaborative work environment made her stand out among other candidates.”

Dr. Hawley has served as an Assistant Principal and a sixth grade Language Arts/Social Studies teacher at the Skokie School in Winnetka, Ill. She also has held several positions at the Academy of Environmental Science in East Harlem, N.Y. serving as a seventh grade Humanities teacher, Administrative Intern, and Middle School Coordinator.

Dr. Hawley holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from National Louis University in Chicago; two masters’ degrees from Bank Street College of Graduate Education in New York, N.Y., one in in educational supervision and administration and the other in early adolescent education; and a bachelor’s degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash.

With the Board approval of her appointment on March 21, Dr. Hawley will receive a three-year contract with an annual salary of $138,500, plus contributions to the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS).

“I am very excited about joining District 90 and the opportunity to work with such a well-respected school district,” said Dr. Hawley. “I feel exceedingly fortunate to have been selected from such a strong pool of candidates, she said. “There is such a harmonious fit between District 90 and my beliefs about student learning, professional development, and preparing students for their futures that I’m looking forward to getting started.”