Downers Grove Transition 99 coordinator appointed to state advisory council

DOWNERS GROVE – Community High School District 99′s Transition 99 Program Coordinator Carolina Schoenbeck was appointed to the Illinois Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities.

In her role on the council, Schoenbeck will advise the State Board of Education on current issues, and will advocate for high standards relating to the education of children with disabilities, a news release stated.

“Special education has been a lifelong passion of mine,” Schoenbeck said in the release. “I’m very much looking forward to serving on this council in order to improve resources and services for children with disabilities in Illinois.”

She was appointed on Dec. 14.

“We’re incredibly proud to have Carolina serve on a state-level council,” Superintendent Hank Thiele said in the release. “Her new role will directly and positively impact District 99 students and students throughout the state.”

Since 2018, Schoenbeck has been the program coordinator at District 99′s Transition 99 Center for students ages 18 to 21 with special needs. With more than 18 years of working in special education, she previously served as the special education program coordinator at Morton West High School. Schoenbeck completed her term on the board of directors for Everyone Reading Illinois in 2021.

Additionally, Schoenbeck created the regional Options Fair to offer students with special needs and their families an opportunity to meet with colleges, universities and agencies that provide services after high school. District 99 will host the fair in fall 2022.

At Transition 99, students experience coursework that includes life and work skills after high school. Additionally, students receive the foundation they need to grow and to be productive, contributing members in our community, the release stated. To learn more about Transition 99, visit the District 99 website.

For information on the Illinois Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities, go to the Illinois State Board of Education website.