West Aurora School District 129 has hired a new assistant director of special education for the 2024-25 school year.
Matthew Layton will assume leadership over all aspects of special education at the elementary level in the district when he starts next school year, according to district officials.
He has served as director of special education programs and services at the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County for the past two years, officials said.
His responsibilities with West Aurora School District will include managing programs, activities and operations to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Layton will also provide instructional leadership, spearhead curriculum planning and implement specialized programs tailored to the needs of students with disabilities, district officials said.
Before his work in DuPage County, Layton was supervisor of special education at Calvert County Public Schools in Prince Frederick, Maryland, starting in 2020. While there, Layton oversaw the design, implementation and monitoring of special education programs.
During the 2019-20 school year, Layton served as district coordinator of specialized instruction at Baltimore City Public Schools. There, he helped coordinate and lead district-wide efforts in specialized instruction, curriculum development and professional development, officials said.
Layton’s educational career includes positions as principal, academic director, coordinator, liaison, literacy coach, department chair and teacher, according to West Aurora officials.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Washington Adventist University and a master’s degree in leadership in teaching, along with a certificate of advanced studies in school administration and literacy, from Notre Dame of Maryland University.
“I am deeply committed to ensuring access, equity and progress for every student within our schools, and to achieve this vision, relationships and collaboration will be the cornerstone of my efforts,” Layton said in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with dedicated teachers, administrators and staff to create a supportive learning experience and environment where students feel valued, understood and empowered to reach their full potential.”
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.