Hinsdale 86 Fills New Equity Position

HINSDALE, IL — The Hinsdale High School District 86 board on Thursday filled the newly created position of director of instructional equity.

Patrice Payne has held educational jobs in Los Angeles, Chicago and the suburbs. Her salary is set at $115,000. She starts July 1.

In a news release, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss described the new position.

"This position was created, in part, to support the work and goals of our equity statement, which include designing and implementing a culturally responsive curriculum, helping our faculty develop culturally responsive teaching practices, and cultivating the social and emotional skills in our students so that they can grow into engaged global citizens," Prentiss said.

Before joining District 86, Payne spent two years as the "Multi-Tiered Systems of Support" coordinator for Rich Township High School District 227 in south suburban Matteson, the news release said.

In that role, Payne directed academic planning and curriculum development in English language arts, math and support classes, among other things.

Payne also served as the principal at Frazier Preparatory Academy in Chicago and Crenshaw Arts-Technology Charter High School in Los Angeles. Additionally, she was an English teacher at Thornton Township High School in Harvey.

Payne received a bachelor’s degree in English for secondary education from Pepperdine University, a master's degree in education administration from Governors State University and a doctorate in education leadership from the University of Southern California, the news release said.

“I have always had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for District 86,” Payne said in the release. “The members of this community truly value the importance of education, and are fully committed to the success of all students."