District 88 to name first Director of Student Career Development

During the Jan. 22 District 88 Board of Education meeting, the administration will recommend the Board name Iridia Nevarez as the district’s first Director of Student Career Development, effective July 1.

While Nevarez (pictured at right) is new to that position, she is certainly a familiar face in the district and community, as she has been with Addison Trail for more than 18 years. And her link to “Blazer Nation” goes even deeper, as she’s an alumna of the school (class of 1992).

“I see this role as an opportunity that will allow me to motivate our students to explore their interests, as well as assist them in shaping their professional paths,” Nevarez said. “I feel this will be a rewarding experience that positively impacts students’ futures.”

Nevarez began her professional career as a juvenile probation officer with DuPage County and then taught bilingual education at School District U-46. She joined Addison Trail in 2007 as a dean and later served as a school counselor, before being named as an assistant principal. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Benedictine University, her Master of Education degree from National Louis University, her professional educator license from Aurora University and her master’s degree in school counseling from University of West Alabama. Nevarez also is bilingual (English and Spanish).

“My plan is to use my counseling background to provide personalized career counseling sessions to help students identify their strengths, interests and career goals and assist families in understanding the career development process,” Nevarez said. “I also plan to facilitate networking events, alumni meetups and industry connections to help students and families understand the importance of professional connections. I believe career planning is crucial for students today, simply because it helps them align their skills and interests with current market demands, enhancing their employability. Additionally, career planning also can build confidence and empower our students.”

As the Director of Student Career Development, Nevarez said she plans to focus on the following:

1. Enhance career resources: “With the collaboration of our school counselors, my plan is to expand our current resources such as workshops, career fairs and online tools for our students.”
   
   
2. Establish and strengthen relationships with diverse employers: “The goal is to create internship opportunities, job placements and networking events for students.”
   
   
3. Foster alumni engagement: “I would love nothing more than to engage our alumni and organize alumni mentorship programs, networking initiatives and guest-speaker opportunities for them to offer insights to our current students.”

“Nevarez is connected with our community and our families, which will allow her to find and build pathways for our students,” said Dr. Jean Barbanente, District 88 Superintendent. “She’s a natural fit for this position, as she has the skills to help our students succeed in their future endeavors.”