Wheaton, IL, September 18, 2023— The DuPage Regional Office of Education is pleased to announce Ms. Amber Quirk has assumed the position of Regional Superintendent, effective July 1, 2023. Quirk was elected to the office and replaced Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, who retired in June. Quirk formerly served as the Assistant Regional Superintendent.
As the Chief Administrative Officer of the DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE), Quirk will serve as an intermediary between the Illinois State Board of Education and DuPage County school districts. In addition to coordinating and delivering state and local services, Quirk will act as an advocate for education by providing positive leadership and disseminating information for educators, school districts, and the public.
With nearly two dozen years of experience in the field of education, Quirk is poised to lead with confidence, efficiency, and integrity. Quirk began her teaching career in the classroom in Scituate, a seacoast town in Massachusetts. After moving to Illinois, Quirk taught and coached students in Lombard School District 44 and served as an instructional coach supporting her peers. She then worked as an assistant principal for three years and principal for five years in Maercker School District 60. In July of 2021, Quirk assumed the role of Assistant Regional Superintendent.
Raúl Gastón, principal of Jefferson Middle School in Villa Park, worked alongside Quirk when she served as a principal and says she will be a benefit to DuPage Schools as she leads the DuPage Regional Office. “Every time I have reached out to [Quirk], she has been quick to respond with helpful guidance. Amber possesses a vast amount of knowledge and experience, which has given her a comprehensive understanding of the work and the ability to lead effectively,” Gastón says.
In her new role as Superintendent, Quirk says her first responsibility will be to efficiently and effectively steward tax dollars to ensure all students in DuPage County receive an outstanding education. “I ran on a campaign of integrity, accountability, and quality—and I intend to keep the promises I made to voters,” says Quirk.
As a parent herself, Quirk knows a primary concern of DuPage residents is school safety—and it’s a priority for her as well.
“It’s understandably a huge concern,” says Quirk. “We have processes in place to promote the physical safety as well as the emotional safety of our students, but I will continually evaluate our systems to ensure we are doing everything we can so DuPage’s youngest residents have every advantage and opportunity to succeed,” explains Quirk.
Quirk knows she has big shoes to fill; her predecessor held the role of Superintendent for 20 years. However, Quirk has confidence in her staff at the ROE and is excited about the future of education in DuPage County.
“One of Dr. Ruscitti’s legacies was her knack for finding and hiring creative, talented individuals. I am surrounded by incredible wisdom and experience, and I am confident it will create a seamless transition as we strive to offer the very best in services to our DuPage County Schools going forward,” says Quirk.
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About the DuPage Regional Office of Education
The DuPage Regional Office of Education is a service organization whose role is to provide high quality service and support to all stakeholders and collectively expend every effort to prepare DuPage County children for the world they will face. In addition to the myriad of services provided directly to educators and schools, the office also provides services and support to community members, private schools, parents, children, business leaders, and others. For more information n, visit DupageROE.org.
