Jean Barbanente

Barbanente is a practitioner consultant on Corwin’s Deep Equity team leading Deep Equity implementation in Illinois’s second most diverse high school district. With over 22 years in public education, Jean has led two high schools through comprehensive school reform creating both expanded academic and behavioral interventions, more inclusive environments for special education students, and open access to advanced placement programming for all students. In addition to her equity work, has specific expertise in both RTI and PBIS implementation, as well as strategies for connecting parents that have been historically underrepresented. Currently serves as Assistant Superintendent overseeing Human Resources as well as providing technical assistance in the area of curriculum, special education, student discipline, ESL/bilingual, federal grants, school law and compliance issues. Special areas of interest include consulting administrative teams, executive leadership, and school boards on the implementation of deep equity in schools.

Jean resides in suburban Chicago with her husband and two children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Italian and Spanish, master’s degree in ESL/Bilingual and curriculum with an Illinois licensure. Additionally, she holds endorsements in school counseling and general administration, as well as a superintendent endorsement. Her interests include travel to Canada, Europe, and South America where she has led several student trips and exchanges. Fluent in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, she has multicultural experience that brings a global aspect to her leadership approach and enhances her ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and experiences. Jean is completing her doctoral work at Aurora University outside of Chicago focusing on the impact of the Deep Equity process on the decision making of school administrators.