Dr. Tony Sanders State Superintendent of Education | Official website
Dr. Tony Sanders State Superintendent of Education | Official website
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced Dr. Rachael Mahmood as the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Dr. Mahmood, a fifth-grade teacher at Georgetown Elementary School in Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204, was surprised with the announcement by ISBE Chair Dr. Steven Isoye, Superintendent Dr. Adrian Talley, and Principal Jill Keller.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders selected Mahmood from 13 finalists across Illinois. As part of her new role, she will serve an ambassadorship starting in July and take a state-funded one-year sabbatical for the 2024-25 school year to represent Illinois in the National Teacher of the Year program.
“Amidst an incredibly talented pool of educators across our state, Dr. Mahmood rose to the forefront," said Dr. Sanders. “Despite never feeling like she belonged in school as a student, she became a teacher and found her calling."
Dr. Mahmood has been teaching since 2005 and has spent nine years at Georgetown Elementary School. She is known for building strong relationships with students and families and creating curricula that affirm students' identities through engaging instructional methods.
“Our role as educators is to adopt an asset-based mindset," said Dr. Mahmood in her nomination materials.
Dr. Talley expressed pride in Mahmood's achievement: “We are honored and joyful that Dr. Rachael Mahmood has been selected as the Illinois Teacher of the Year!"
Principal Keller also praised her dedication: “Dr. Mahmood pours her heart and soul into her work daily."
Mahmood's previous recognitions include being a semifinalist for the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in 2020 and receiving awards from Elmhurst University and Benedictine University in 2022.
In addition to teaching, she writes educational blogs on culturally responsive teaching strategies and organizes interfaith dialogues to connect diverse communities.
Learn more about Dr. Rachael Mahmood on ISBE's Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year webpage.
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