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 a leader in the BPAC, praised by her peers in the Glenbrook School District for helping create inclusive spaces, advocating for immigrant parents and fostering strong connections between families and schools.

At her school, Bae has helped organize various events with other bilingual parent members, such as school orientations, guidance on post-high school pathways, and discussions about communicating with teenagers. Additionally, she has attended the District Leadership Meeting and says she found this helpful, and expressed appreciation for the district’s willingness to listen to BPAC members. “Knowing that I wasn’t the only bilingual parent made me feel less lonely and more supported,” she says.

Being a BPAC member for Bae is not just about advocating for students, but about building community with other parents and making memories together. She was particularly proud of the Lunar New Year celebration, where Korean parents gathered to play games, share traditional food, and have open conversations in Korean about school matters. “It was such a warm and meaningful time for all of us,” she says.

Bae encourages bilingual parents like her to get involved with their children’s schools and make connections, and to focus on the fact that all parents in the community have a goal in common. “Even though our languages and cultures are different, we all share the same hope for our children’s happiness at school,” Bae says. “Let’s encourage one another as parents so our kids can enjoy their school life to the fullest.”