Congratulations to Veronica Rodriguez, a multilingual teacher at Juliette Low Elementary School in Community Consolidated School District 59, (Elk Grove Village), who was recently named by ISBE as the 2021 Bilingual Teacher of the Year.
According to the ISBE site, Veronica is quick to point out two educators who were influential in her success school — one in junior high and another in high school. She believes each teacher was instrumental in paving the way for the opportunities she was afforded in attending college and later becoming a teacher. She understands more than most the idea of paying it forward and recognizes the tremendous impact teachers have on their students. She prescribes to the notion that one of the greatest rewards in teaching is knowing every day is a new day to reach and impact another student. Veronica also realizes that, as an educator, it is crucial for her to create an environment of empowerment, acceptance, and growth so that her students can succeed. One lesson that embodies Veronica’s approach with her students incorporates research and writing centered on Cesar Chavez. The lesson, as she puts it, “helped my students develop the necessary language to be able to express their own needs and advocate for others who might require help.”
For information on the other award-winning educators this year, click here.
