Director
Harvey School District 152
Yolanda T. Massey-Payne is an accomplished educational leader with over 25 years of experience in the Illinois public school system. Currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Concordia University Chicago (expected completion in 2025), she holds multiple advanced degrees including master's degrees in Special Education and Administration and Supervision from Chicago State University, as well as a master's in Counseling from Purdue University.
Throughout her career, Ms. Massey-Payne has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusive education and community building. She began her career in 1997 with Chicago Public Schools, where she served as a teacher, case manager, and school counselor. From 2008 to 2011, she worked as a Turnaround Assistant Principal at Orr Academy High School through the Academy for Urban School Leadership, where she led transformational change initiatives and built consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
From 2012 to 2020, Ms. Massey-Payne served as Director of Special Services at Hazel Crest School District 152.5, where she created innovative programs for diverse learners while fostering inclusive community partnerships. She was then promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Schools (2020-2024), leading district-wide initiatives to create inclusive, safe environments and developing comprehensive community resource programs. Under her leadership, the district achieved a Gold-rated Preschool program serving diverse community needs.
Currently, Ms. Massey-Payne serves as Director of Special Education, where she oversees compliance with district, state, and federal requirements for special education programming while coordinating the delivery of integrated student services. She holds multiple Illinois state certifications, including teaching, counseling, administrative, and special education director endorsements, as well as a superintendent endorsement.
Her core competencies include community building, change management, strategic planning, professional development, and resource management. Throughout her career, Massey-Payne has consistently focused on creating inclusive learning environments, building bridges between diverse populations, and implementing innovative programs to improve student engagement and success.