Nicole Pieranunzi is currently the Director of Special Education Services at West 40 ISC #2. In this new position, she plans to utilize her passion for Special Education to serve in a capacity that promotes awareness and works to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families.  Her goals include establishing collaborative relationships to generate new and innovative programming essential to effective special education and creating a stronger network of special education and mental health resources across the state of Illinois to help educators better support students.   

Nicole is a Dominican University Alumni, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and American Studies and also her Master of Arts in Special Education.  She has an additional Masters of Arts in Education Leadership from Aurora University, where she also completed her coursework for her Special Education Director endorsement. She is looking forward to earning her doctorate in Special Education. 

Nicole has spent ten years in the classroom.  She has taught in Preschool, elementary, middle school, and most recently, joined Aurora University as an adjunct professor.  She has experience working with programs such as Special Olympics, Best Buddies, and Destination Imagination.  Nicole also has worked at Veterans Park District with their Special Recreational Program working with adults with disabilities taking participants on weekly outings that included exercise club, arts and crafts, bowling, dining, and more.  

In her personal life, Nicole is also the mother of five beautiful children, all with varying disabilities including a child living with a mental health illness and two children on the autism spectrum. Having children with various needs has taught her the importance of patience, being service minded, and needing to take a differentiated approach to almost every aspect of life. 

Nicole’s mission is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to services and support that allow them to lead active, meaningful, and productive lives within their communities. 

You can contact Nicole Pieranunzi at npieranunzi@West40.org or (708) 990-8897.