Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Dr. Jean Barbanente has been appointed interim superintendent of DuPage High School District 88, which encompasses Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools. She is the district’s first female superintendent as well as the first to speak multiple languages.
Barbanente has been with District 88 for more than 25 years and worked with past superintendents Dr. Scott Helton and Dr. Steve Humphrey. She joined District 88 in 1995 as a member of the world language department at Addison Trail, where she taught Italian and Spanish. In 2002, she transitioned to her first leadership role in the district, taking on the position of director of guidance at Addison Trail. In 2006, she was named director of learning services and was later appointed assistant superintendent. In that capacity, she provided leadership in the areas of teaching, learning, human resources, compliance, equity, special education and pupil personnel services.
Barbanente serves on the Illinois Advisory Council for Bilingual Education; co-facilitates the DuPage County Equity and Excellence Committee; helped develop the District 88 C.A.R.E. Team (Committed to Academics, Resiliency and Equity); and implemented the district’s efforts regarding equity, culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed practices and restorative practices. As a member of the Addison Sister Cities initiative with Triggiano, Italy, she assists in student exchange programs between high schools in Addison and Triggiano.
Barbanente earned her bachelor’s in secondary education from Dominican University and her master’s in education from National Louis University.
