ISBE Names Víctor Gómez the Illinois Teacher of the Year

Leyden’s very own, Mr. Víctor Gómez, has been named the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Gómez, a bilingual science teacher at East Leyden, was selected through a highly competitive annual process that recognizes the best in the teaching profession and is the highest honor for Illinois educators.

Gómez was surprised with this honor last Wednesday, when he was told they needed to relocate his class to the band room due to a “water leak we needed to investigate.” Upon entering the band room, Víctor was greeted with sounds of a mariachi band as he walked through a balloon arch to be met by State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders and members of the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Mr. Gómez is ready to meet the moment,” said Dr. Sanders. “Illinois’ fastest-growing student populations are English learners and Hispanic students. Mr. Gómez recognizes that bilingual students are poised for success in STEM – possessing the creativity, problem-solving skills, and non-linear thinking that are critical for innovation. Mr. Gómez can inspire other educators around the state with his high expectations for his students, his willingness to chart new paths, and his commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive instruction. I look forward to the ways in which Mr. Gómez will uplift the teaching profession and inspire young people to pursue careers in bilingual education.”

Gómez was nominated by former East Leyden Principal Dr. Dominic Manola, Director of Multicultural Learners Christina Schimdt, and his colleague Bianca Araujo for this honor. He was selected through a highly competitive process, after being named one of 13 finalists earlier this year. He will be honored at a special banquet later this month, and then will begin a state-funded one year sabbatical in July, where he will represent Illinois across the country.

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