Irma Martinez Snopek is an education leader and attorney with extensive experience in public education policy, governance, and communications in Illinois. She currently serves as policy and communications officer for the Illinois State Board of Education, where she oversees communications, legislative affairs, government relations, and family and community engagement. She plays a key role in shaping statewide education policies, strengthening academic programs, supporting multilingual education, and working with the Illinois General Assembly to develop and refine laws that promote equity and student success.

Previously, Snopek was appointed by the governor as interim secretary of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood, where she guided the new department’s initial development, established operational infrastructure, and aligned policies to enhance early childhood education and care across the state. She led efforts to strengthen preschool programs and engage stakeholders to ensure high-quality early learning opportunities for all children.

Before joining the Illinois State Board of Education, she served as first assistant deputy governor for education, overseeing Illinois’ P-20 education system, including K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities. Prior to that, she was deputy chief of staff at Chicago Public Schools, where she played a key role in guiding the board through the district’s academic growth, expanding educational opportunities, and refining district policies.

Earlier in her career, Snopek worked as assistant general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Education, where she developed legal and compliance frameworks to support school improvement efforts. A former bilingual teacher, she holds a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law, a Master of Education in Policy and Administration and a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Superintendent Endorsement from Concordia University Chicago. She remains a dedicated advocate for educational equity, multilingual learning, and systemic school improvement.