Chicago Public Schools Enhances Leadership Team with Strategic Central Office Appointments

CHICAGO- The Chicago Board of Education Thursday approved two key leadership appointments that support academic excellence and equitable opportunities for staff, students and their families with Chicago Public Schools.

These appointments position experienced leaders in essential roles that directly impact student success. Each leader has a proven history of advancing educational equity and offers a clear vision for improving outcomes for every student across Chicago's school communities.

“Both these leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to fostering an environment where every student can thrive,” said CPS CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. “Their strategic vision and dedication will play a vital role in enhancing our schools and empowering our students for success in all aspects of their lives.”

The two new executive appointments are Evangelina Covarrubias as Chief Equity Officer and Marilou Rebolledo as Chief Teaching & Learning Officer.

Evangelina Covarrubias: Chief Equity Officer

The Chicago Board of Education has appointed Evangelina Covarrubias as the Chief Equity Officer. A Chicago native raised in the Little Village community by Mexican immigrants, Covarrubias has a strong commitment to advancing racial, linguistic, and cultural equity in education. Currently serving as the Acting Chief Equity Officer for CPS, she played a pivotal role in establishing the CPS Office of Equity in 2018 and co-authored the District's first comprehensive Equity Framework.

Covarrubias engaged more than 5,000 stakeholders, including educators, students, and parents, in developing this framework, which has been integrated into District strategic planning and school-level improvement efforts. Her leadership has improved the District’s approach to identifying needs, evaluating policies, and allocating resources to enhance student opportunities.

Additionally, Covarrubias has advanced equity for multilingual learners through initiatives in the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME), supporting approximately 70,000 English Learners. As a mentor, she fosters the development of leaders who can challenge inequities and amplify community and student voices.

Covarrubias holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as master’s degrees in reading education from Concordia University, educational leadership and administration from Chicago State University, and curriculum and instructional leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Marilou Rebolledo: Chief Teaching & Learning Officer

Dr. Marilou S. Rebolledo brings more than 30 years of dedicated service in education to her role as Chief Teaching and Learning Officer. Her educational journey is profoundly shaped by her experiences growing up in the Philippines and later migrating to Guam, where she faced limited opportunities and resources. As someone who was a first-generation, low-income college student, Dr. Rebolledo recognizes and empathizes with CPS students and families as they face similar challenges.

Throughout her extensive career in CPS, Dr. Rebolledo has taken on various roles, including National Board-Certified Teacher, assistant principal, principal, deputy chief, and chief of schools for Network 2. As a recipient of the Cahn Fellows program and a licensed coach through the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute, Dr. Rebolledo uses her extensive operational and instructional expertise to develop rigorous curriculums, foster inclusive learning environments, and promote educational equity.

In her position as chief teaching and learning officer, Dr. Rebolledo aims to enhance the District’s core commitments, encouraging leaders to develop joyful, high-quality, rigorous, and equitable educational experiences throughout CPS.She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago, a Master’s in educational administration from Governors State University, and a Doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Loyola University Chicago. Additionally, she is a proud parent of two daughters who are graduates of CPS schools.