Longtime Hope Wall School Educator Becomes Assistant Principal

AURORA, IL — A longtime educator at Hope D. Wall School in Aurora has been appointed assistant principal of the school.

The West Aurora Board of Education approved Melissa Yarbrough's appointment, effective for the 2025-26 school year, during its regular meeting Monday night.The special education school serves students from preschool to age 22 in both East Aurora School District 131 and West Aurora School District 129.

Yarbrough has worked at Hope Wall School for more than two decades. She began her career at Hope Wall as a classroom teacher, working with primary and intermediate multi-needs students. She served as a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports coach and crisis team leader until becoming the school's community services and student coordinator in 2023. In her most recent position, she plays a key role in supporting individualized education plans, coordinating student services and leading crisis response efforts.

Yarbrough, a District 129 alumna, has also worked as the coordinator and administrator of the school's extended school year program since 2008, overseeing student placement, staff hiring and program logistics.

"I am honored to accept the opportunity to expand my leadership role within School District 129," Yarbrough said in a statement. "Having spent my entire career at Hope Wall, I am excited to continue serving our students, families, and staff. Together, we will work to help our Hope Wall Rockets soar and strengthen our school community for years to come."

Yarbrough holds a bachelor's degree in special education from Northern Illinois University, a master's in educational leadership from Aurora University, and an English as a second language endorsement from St. Francis University.