ED&D Podcast: Episode 15

Heather Calomese

Director of the Special Education Division at the California Department of Education.

Heather Calomese joined the field of Education as a career-changer. Calomese’s early experiences as a graduate student and paraprofessional within the Special Education had a profound impact on her decision to center students with disabilities as her life-long work.

Calomese began her teaching career in Iowa before moving to Chicago to teach in the Chicago Public Schools as a Special Education teacher. Calomese’s pursuit of equity and excellence in education intensified when she transitioned from teaching to administrative roles. Calomese first worked at the Illinois State Board of Education in 2008 as a Corey H. monitor, working with schools that were facing sanctions and/or closure because of persistent Special Education issues. Calomese has also worked as a Special Education Administrator within the Chicago Public Schools and was also the founding Director of Specialized Instruction at Acero Charter Schools.

In 2017, Calomese returned to the Illinois State Board of Education where she was the Executive Director of Special Education. In 2019, Calomese accepted the role of Executive Director of Programs. This role focused on the alignment of systems and supports for students receiving Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education services.

Calomese has earned a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa, and a M.A. in Special Education from the University of Iowa.