A veteran educator with decades of leadership experience, José M. Torres served as Interim CEO and Superintendent for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from July 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021. He previously served the CPS as a Regional Superintendent between 2006 and 2008, overseeing schools in Englewood, West Englewood, Chatham, Grand Crossing, and Auburn-Gresham.
Dr. Torres retired as President and CEO of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), a statewide public school that is nationally known for its outstanding college preparedness programs. He remains as President and CEO Emeritus of IMSA. He also served as Superintendent of Elgin School District (U-46) from 2008 to 2014, where he designed and implemented an accountability plan to improve outcomes for students while successfully steering the district through challenging financial times. Torres has also held several leadership positions in additional school districts from coast to coast and has been recognized nationally for his achievements in leadership and educational equity.
Torres holds an Associate of Liberal Arts from Prince George’s Community College, and Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a PhD in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration, all from the University of Maryland, College Park. He was also a Fellow at the Eli Broad Urban Superintendents Academy and was a Fellow in the Public Education Leadership Project through the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Business School.
He is married to Isabel Torres, an Instructional Coach in Elgin School District. Dr. Torres has
three adult children and one 11-year old grandson.
