Jamie DiCarlo, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for Mundelein School Districts 75 and 120, has received a regional leadership award from the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE). The award was presented during the IAASE Winter Conference in Champaign on February 26. DiCarlo was recognized as the Region 1 recipient, which covers Lake, McHenry, Kane counties and the northern part of Cook County.
DiCarlo was nominated by Kim Goldberg, Director of Special Education at Mundelein High School. According to Goldberg, “exceptional leadership abilities, unwavering dedication to our educational community and remarkable capacity to drive positive change” led to DiCarlo’s nomination.
“I have rarely encountered a leader who combines such profound knowledge of educational systems with genuine compassion for students and families,” Goldberg wrote. “She works tirelessly to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, every parent feels heard and every staff member feels supported.”
The IAASE noted that DiCarlo met criteria including strong leadership in special education programs, loyalty to colleagues and professional organizations, commitment, and high professional standards.
DiCarlo has been with District 120 since 2015. She later assumed responsibility for Student Services in both District 120 and Mundelein Elementary District 75 through a shared services role. Under her leadership, District 120 started its Transition Program aimed at helping young adults who need extra support transitioning to adult life after high school. The program is now considered a regional model.
Goldberg also highlighted DiCarlo’s skills in managing complex organizational needs between two districts. “She navigates challenging situations with grace and wisdom,” Goldberg wrote. “Her collaborative approach has fostered a culture of trust and mutual respect.”
Mundelein Consolidated High School District 120 represents Lake County and includes Mundelein Consolidated High School. The district serves students in grades nine through twelve and enrolled over 2,000 students during the 2019-2020 school year. According to state data, the district spent $29,799 per student in 2020 for a total expenditure of $61.6 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
Demographically, District 120 is composed of about 41 percent White students, nearly 46 percent Hispanic students, just over five percent Asian students, and about two percent Black students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The teaching staff consists of roughly equal numbers of men and women among its approximately 130 teachers (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/), with an average salary above $91,000.
Chronic truancy rates at District 120 were recorded at about four percent during the same period—lower than the statewide average (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
