ISBE News

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

Educator Spotlight: Alise Gaughan, CCSD 15

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

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 Alise Gaughan, an instructional coach at CCSD 15 in McHenry. Says Maureen Cassidy, who nominated her: “I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Alise Gaughan to be a featured educator by IRC. Alise possesses the unique combination of educational expertise, coaching prowess, and [...]

Educator Spotlight: Alise Gaughan, CCSD 15Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:21-06:00

Educator Spotlight: Sara Giannopoulos, J.S. Morton High School

Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:22-06:00

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 Sara Giannopoulos, an EL and content support teacher at J.S. Morton High School. Says Melody Becker, who nominated her: “As Lead Teacher, Sara has been an instructional leader within our EL department for the last five years. She has strong knowledge of [...]

Educator Spotlight: Sara Giannopoulos, J.S. Morton High SchoolLindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:22-06:00

Educator Spotlight: Alma Ocampo-Nuñez, Chicago Public Schools

Lindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:22-06:00

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 Alma Ocampo-Nuñez, a bilingual lead teacher at Chicago Public Schools. Says Alyssa Silva-Rafi, who nominated her: “Alma is passionate about working with English learners and helping staff better serve the community of students and parents. She is a strong advocate for English learners.” In teaching [...]

Educator Spotlight: Alma Ocampo-Nuñez, Chicago Public SchoolsLindsay Eanet2025-02-21T09:37:22-06:00

Educator Spotlight: Nicole Lynch, Diamond Lake SD 76

Lindsay Eanet2023-04-24T12:27:40-05:00

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 Nicole Lynch, an EL Resource Teacher in Diamond Lake School District 76. Says Julie Pecoraro, who nominated her: “Nicole goes above and beyond with her students. She cares about each and every one of them. She strives to help them in all [...]

Educator Spotlight: Nicole Lynch, Diamond Lake SD 76Lindsay Eanet2023-04-24T12:27:40-05:00

Educator Spotlight: Brenda Mendoza, Aurora SD 129

Lindsay Eanet2023-01-18T10:10:52-06:00

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 Brenda Mendoza, a 2nd grade teacher at Greenman Elementary School in Aurora, who recently received the Latinx Educator Impact Award at the Latinx Educator Awards! When the Latinx Education Collaborative honored Brenda Mendoza with their Latinx Educator Impact Award last [...]

Educator Spotlight: Brenda Mendoza, Aurora SD 129Lindsay Eanet2023-01-18T10:10:52-06:00