New LADSE Executive Director chosen

Ellen Ambuehl was recently appointed as the LaGrange Area Department of Special Education (LADSE) executive director and will begin July 1, 2018. She currently serves as assistant executive director for LADSE. Previously, she served for five years year as the director of Special Education at New Trier High School District 203, and prior to that she served eight years as director of Special Services at Darien Public Schools and two years as Student Services director in District 69 in Skokie.

Ambuehl earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a master’s degree in Special Education from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, as well as a doctorate in Educational Organization and Leadership from U of I. She belongs to the Council for Exceptional Children and the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.

Members of the LADSE Directing Board conducted an exhaustive and thorough search, ultimately deciding to promote from within the organization. “Ellie has proven to be a great fit. She is well respected, knowledgeable and student-centered,” said Chairman of the LADSE Directing Board and District 204 Superintendent Tim Kilrea, Ed.D. “She is dedicated to the mission of LADSE, and I have no doubt she will lead her colleagues to do what’s best for member district students and families,” he added.

"LADSE is an established leader in the provision of special education services, due in large part to its strong and committed staff, its member districts and its students and families. The opportunity to lead this organization naturally excited me and appealed to my interest in supporting students with disabilities in the public school setting. I look forward to working with LADSE’s team of professionals who serve the students of Lyons Township,” Ambuehl said.

As executive director, Ambuehl will lead and oversee LADSE, a special education cooperative serving 15 school districts in Cook and DuPage counties. In conjunction with the Directing Board, comprised of the 15 superintendents of its member districts, she and LADSE’s 325 employees serve approximately 4,000 students with disabilities, their families and their teachers.