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| | For Immediate Release | | Monday, March 16, 2026 | |
NORMAL — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognized the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year Cohort at a celebratory reception in Normal on Saturday, March 14. Speakers at the event commended the educators for their dedication and encouraged them to use their new platform to lead and advocate for the profession. The program featured remarks from Dr. Tony Sanders, state superintendent of education; Dr. Steven Isoye, ISBE Board chair and 1998 Illinois Teacher of the Year; Dr. Rachael Mahmood, 2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year and vice president of the Illinois State Teacher of the Year organization; Bill Polasky, 2019 Illinois Teacher of the Year finalist and president of the Illinois State Teacher of the Year organization; and Víctor Gómez, 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year.
The 2026 Teacher of the Year Cohort with State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders and ISBE Board Chair Dr. Steven Isoye at the Teacher of the Year Cohort Reception in Normal.
See photos from the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year reception.
“Every day across Illinois, great teachers are helping students discover their potential,”
said Dr. Sanders. “The educators in this year’s Teacher of the Year Cohort remind us that great teaching is about more than academics — it's about inspiring curiosity, building confidence, and helping students see their potential. Their passion and commitment are shaping the future of our state, and we are grateful for the difference they make in the lives of Illinois students every single day.” “I encourage you to see this award not just as a recognition but as an opportunity,”
said Dr. Isoye at the reception. “The Teacher of the Year recognition will open doors — doors to new leadership opportunities and new ways to be voices for this profession we all hold so dear.” Dr. Sanders notified members of this year's cohort of their selection via surprise video calls last month.
Watch highlights from the surprise video calls. The 14 members of the 2026 Teacher of the Year Cohort were selected from the top nominees across Illinois for the 2026 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. The cohort represents diverse regions and specialties across Illinois, including regional Teachers of the Year and those representing bilingual, early childhood, early career, and special education. Dr. Sanders will surprise one member of the cohort with the announcement of the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year later this spring. The selected educator will receive a one-year paid sabbatical to serve as an ambassador for Illinois educators. Finalists must have five or more years of teaching experience to qualify as the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year. In addition, the cohort includes an Early Career Educator who is recognized for exceptional contributions in the first years of teaching. All awardees will be honored at the annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 18, at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott.
Meet the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year Cohort -
Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year – Elyse Smith, Kindergarten, Horace Mann Elementary School, Oak Park ESD 97
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Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year – Bryan Soto, Health and Wellness, The Academy for Global Citizenship, Chicago Public Schools District 299
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Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year – David Ligman, Applied Technology, Hoffman Estates High School, Township HSD 211
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East Central Regional Teacher of the Year – Donald Whitman, Technology and Engineering, Normal Community High School, McLean County USD 5
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Far North Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year – Rebecca Grazier, Elementary, River Trail School, Gurnee SD 56
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Far West Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year – Seth Brady, Social Studies, Naperville Central High School, Naperville CUSD 203
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Far South Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year – Ghazala Manzoor, Mathematics, Brooks Middle School, Valley View CUSD 365U
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Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year – Courtney Gaulrapp, Elementary, Oregon Elementary School, Oregon CUSD 220
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Southern Regional Teacher of the Year – Angie Neilson, Family and Consumer Sciences, Civic Memorial High School, Bethalto CUSD 8
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West Central Regional Teacher of the Year – Erinn Setterlund Ambrosch, Spanish, Metamora Township High School, Metamora Township HSD 122
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Bilingual Teacher of the Year – Danielle Mallett, Elementary/Dual Language, Stratton Academy of the Arts, Champaign CUSD 4
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Early Childhood Teacher of the Year – Laura Eichberger, Kindergarten, Troy Hofer Elementary School, Troy CCSD 30C
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Special Education Teacher of the Year – Dr. Lisa Jackson, High School/Special Education, Woodland High School, Woodland CUSD 5
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Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year – Noelia Martínez-Voigt, Art, Greenfield CUSD 10
For photos, biographies, and more information about the 2026 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards, visit
ISBE’s Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year webpage. | |
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