District 99 Names New Director of Special Education

Evan Whitehead has been named the new director of special education for District 99, effective July 1. 

Whitehead, currently the assistant superintendent for special services at Berkeley School District 87, will replace Dr. Kim Dryier, who will become the assistant superintendent of instructional services at Consolidated High School District 230. She has been with District 99 since 2005.

“We are very pleased to welcome Evan to our organization,” said Supt. Mark McDonald. “He has a broad base of experience in serving the special needs population, and in leading other education and community initiatives. We know that he will make an immediate and positive impact on everyone at District 99.”

Whitehead previously worked as a community outreach coordinator, dean of students, special education teacher/case manager and coordinator of the Latino Parent Outreach program in DuPage High School District 88 in Addison. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration form North Central College in Naperville, and a bachelor’s degree in special education with a concentration in bilingual-bicultural special education and ESL from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Whitehead is affiliated with numerous professional organizations, including the American Association of School Administration, Illinois Association of School Administrators, and National Alliance of Black School Educators. He currently lives in Villa Park with his wife and two young children.

“I look forward to working with everyone in the community and at District 99,” he said. “District 99 has an excellent reputation for academics and extra-curricular activities, and shares in my strong belief that all students, regardless of need, should have access to these opportunities in order to be successful after high school.”