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 where students’ enthusiasm to learn is truly contagious. Mrs.  Nuñez’s passion for teaching is evident in every lesson she delivers, creating an environment where young minds are excited and eager to explore. Her commitment to bilingual education not only fosters language development but also cultural appreciation among her students.

Mrs. Nuñez’s dedication extends beyond the classroom as she consistently advocates for her students and their families. She goes above and beyond in planning activities that engage and involve families, strengthening the home-school connection. Her innovative approach to family engagement ensures that parents feel included and supported in their child’s education journey. Yulissa Nuñez is a shining example of what it means to be an extraordinary educator, and her impact on the Jefferson Elementary community is profound and inspiring.”

If you ask Yulissa Nuñez why she does what she does, she’ll answer you simply — for love. For nearly 30 years, she has been working in early childhood education, beginning her career in daycare facilities before becoming a Pre-K dual language teacher in Summit. Since 2017, she has served the students of Berwyn, first as an instructional leader, but  she missed the classroom so much that  she decided to go back as the PK Full Day Dual Language teacher at Berwyn North District 98.

Nuñez draws on her own experiences as a parent in supporting students and parents, and says she treats her classroom as a second home, and extends that to her families as well. “I spend a lot of time there,” she says. “So I want to be happy. I want my students to be happy. When parents or grandparents visit the classroom, I take pictures of them and create a family bulletin board. I want everyone to feel welcomed, loved and safe.”

Community building, she says, starts with communication. She says not everyone has the same communication style, so she learns who uses ParentSquare, who prefers face-to-face communication, who prefers email or a note at the end of the day,  and based on that, she is able to reach out to each family.

Nuñez says the way she approaches parents makes a huge difference, especially when parents have questions or concerns about the program, the school or their children. She makes it known to parents and students that she is on their side, and works to build trust by listening and asking questions to get all the facts before responding and trying to resolve it. She also offers resources for parents who may need additional support due to issues at home, such as connecting them to the school social worker. “I want them to know that  they’re not by themselves,” she says.

In order to engage in person and build the bridge between school and the families, she works with their schedules. She hosts breakfast with parents and children so they can stop by during drop off, and also offers a lunch option. She hosts classroom activities like literacy nights and field trips, and facilitates a room parent connect through ParentSquare. She has also organized seasonal and cultural events to get the parents involved. She says, “In my classroom, everyone is welcomed, accepted and included.”

After more than 20 years of experience, her advice to her peers, especially at the start of a new school year, is to build strong, positive relationships with students and families. “See your classroom as your second home, a place filled with warmth, care, and consistency,” she says. “Come to school each day with love and dedication, because your presence matters more than you know. Be true to yourself, to your students, and to their parents. Teaching isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. Love your students, support their families, and you’ll find deep joy and meaning in this profession that I wouldn’t trade for anything else.”