ISBE News

Educator Spotlight: Kennya Guzman, Berkeley SD 87

Lindsay Eanet2025-11-12T13:37:42-06:00

The IRC asked members of our community to nominate Illinois teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond, and now, we’re celebrating them and highlighting their work. Keep an eye out for these features in the coming months – and if you’d like to nominate someone, email leanet@cntrmail.org. Next up is Kennya Guzman, a Bilingual Assistant in Berkeley School District 87. Kennya Guzman knew she wanted to become a teacher ever since she was a fifth grade student herself, studying and dreaming in Durango, Mexico. As she grew up, the motivation grew stronger, leading her to attend [...]

Educator Spotlight: Kennya Guzman, Berkeley SD 87Lindsay Eanet2025-11-12T13:37:42-06:00

Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Jeonghye Bae, Glenbrook District 225

Lindsay Eanet2025-09-09T10:30:38-05:00

Over the past few months, the IRC has been highlighting teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond. This is part of our companion series celebrating parent and community leaders who are advocating for multilingual students. Meet Jeonghye Bae, a parent and BPAC leader from Glenbrook High School District 225. When she first arrived in the United States, Jeonghye Bae experienced what many newcomers have shared — the adjustment to learning about an unfamiliar school system. She wanted to learn little by little, and chose to learn hands-on by getting involved in the school’s BPAC. Over time, Bae became [...]

Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Jeonghye Bae, Glenbrook District 225Lindsay Eanet2025-09-09T10:30:38-05:00

Educator Spotlight: Yulissa Nuñez, Berwyn North School District 98

Lindsay Eanet2025-08-11T09:43:59-05:00

The IRC asked members of our community to nominate Illinois teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond, and now, we’re celebrating them and highlighting their work. Keep an eye out for these features in the coming months – and if you’d like to nominate someone, email leanet@cntrmail.org. Next up is Yulissa Nuñez, a Pre-K dual language teacher in Berwyn North School District 98. Says Emily Szymczak, who nominated her: “Yulissa Nuñez, a Dual Language PreK teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, embodies every aspect of bilingualism with grace and dedication. Her classroom is a beacon of vibrant learning [...]

Educator Spotlight: Yulissa Nuñez, Berwyn North School District 98Lindsay Eanet2025-08-11T09:43:59-05:00

TAKE ACTION: Contact Congress to call for disbursement of Title III Funds

Lindsay Eanet2025-06-27T11:49:14-05:00

Dear friends, We have just a few days left to ensure crucial federal Title III funds reach our schools and communities where it is needed most. These funds support salaries and curriculum, language instruction, academic support services, parent engagement workshops and professional development for educators like you who serve ELs. This $890 million in funds has already been appropriated by Congress, but has not been released. Illinois receives about $30 million of these important monies. The deadline for releasing these funds is this Tuesday, July 1st. If this deadline for disbursement is missed, many districts will lose critical resources for supporting multilingual [...]

TAKE ACTION: Contact Congress to call for disbursement of Title III FundsLindsay Eanet2025-06-27T11:49:14-05:00

Educator Spotlight: Carolina Bonilla, Addison School District 4

Lindsay Eanet2025-06-18T11:56:46-05:00

The IRC asked members of our community to nominate Illinois teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond, and now, we’re celebrating them and highlighting their work. Keep an eye out for these features in the coming months – and if you’d like to nominate someone, email leanet@cntrmail.org. Next up is Carolina Bonilla, a Bilingual Interventionist in Addison School District 4. Says Bianca Magaña, who nominated her: “I am nominating Carolina Bonilla (Dual Language Interventionist) because of her exceptional dedication to supporting student learning in our Dual Language program. She goes above and beyond to ensure students achieve bilingual [...]

Educator Spotlight: Carolina Bonilla, Addison School District 4Lindsay Eanet2025-06-18T11:56:46-05:00

ISBE, IRC Host 19th Annual Statewide Summit for Bilingual Parents

Lindsay Eanet2025-05-07T11:47:05-05:00

For Immediate Release May 6, 2025 ISBE Hosts 19th Annual Statewide Summit for Bilingual Parents Summit empowers parents of English learners with knowledge, tools, and advocacy strategies to support student success CHICAGO — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) hosted the 19th annual Statewide Summit for Bilingual Parents on May 3 in Oak Brook. More than 1,100 attendees – parents and caregivers of multilingual students and members of Bilingual Parent Advisory Committees from across the state – gathered to strengthen their advocacy and leadership in supporting the success of English learners (ELs). View photos from the event. “Parents are powerful [...]

ISBE, IRC Host 19th Annual Statewide Summit for Bilingual ParentsLindsay Eanet2025-05-07T11:47:05-05:00

Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Adriana Bravo, Minooka District 201

Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:36:22-06:00

Over the past few months, the IRC has been highlighting teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond. This is part of our companion series celebrating parent and community leaders who are advocating for multilingual students. Meet Adriana Bravo, a parent and BPAC member from Minooka District 201. Adriana Bravo has been building community alongside other multilingual parents since her daughters were in preschool. Now, her oldest is beginning her first year of high school, and her motivation to advocate for parents is as strong as ever. “I love to be involved,” she says. “It's very important [...]

Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Adriana Bravo, Minooka District 201Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:36:22-06:00

Educator Spotlight: Jackie Griffin, East Prairie School District 73

Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:36:22-06:00

Over the past few months, the IRC has asked members of our community to nominate Illinois teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond, and now, we’re celebrating them and highlighting their work. Keep an eye out for these features in the coming months – and if you’d like to nominate someone, email leanet@cntrmail.org. Next up is Jackie Griffin, the Director of Curriculum, Professional Learning and Language at East Prairie School District 73. Says Hal Schmeisser, who nominated her: I would like to nominate Jackie Griffin the Director of Curriculum, Professional Learning, and Language at East Prairie School District [...]

Educator Spotlight: Jackie Griffin, East Prairie School District 73Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:36:22-06:00

Educator Spotlight: Xiomara Bustamante, J.S. Morton High School

Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:36:22-06:00

Over the past few months, the IRC has asked members of our community to nominate Illinois teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond, and now, we’re celebrating them and highlighting their work. Keep an eye out for these features in the coming months – and if you’d like to nominate someone, email leanet@cntrmail.org. Next up is Xiomara Bustamante, a biliteracy coach at J.S. Morton High School. Says Ana Castellanos, who nominated her: Xiomara is the Biliteracy Coach in our building and I have yet to meet a more dedicated and passionate for ELL students professional. She is [...]

Educator Spotlight: Xiomara Bustamante, J.S. Morton High SchoolLindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:36:22-06:00

Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Narangerel Banzragch, Glenview District 34 & Glenbrook South High School District 225
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Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Narangerel Banzragch, Glenview District 34 & Glenbrook South High School District 225

Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:21-06:00

Over the past few months, the IRC has been highlighting teachers working with multicultural, multilingual students who are going above and beyond. Today, we’re launching a companion series celebrating parent and community leaders who are advocating for multilingual students, starting with Narangerel Banzragch, who serves as a parent and BPAC leader in Glenview District 34 and works as Mongolian Language and Family Liaison in the Multilingual Department at Glenbrook South High School. If you have attended the IRC’s Bilingual Parents Summit over the past several years, you have likely met Narangerel Banzragch, interpreting for and supporting an ever-growing enthusiastic group of [...]

Parent & Community Leader Spotlight: Narangerel Banzragch, Glenview District 34 & Glenbrook South High School District 225Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:21-06:00