Gómez named Cook County Teacher of the Year

Leyden’s very own, Mr. Víctor Gómez, has been named 2025 Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year and is one of 13 finalists for the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year. The Illinois State Board of Education selected Gómez, a bilingual science teacher at East and West Leyden, through a highly competitive annual process that recognizes the best in the teaching profession in the state.  

Gómez was surprised with this honor on Friday, February 14, when invited to a mystery virtual call with colleagues. When he signed on, he was greeted by State Superintendent Tony Sanders, Board President Greg Ignoffo, Superintendent Dr. Polyak and East Principal Dr. Lam, who shared the good news.

“Receiving this recognition is simply a reflection of what I’ve experienced in my many years at Leyden,” said Gómez. “An educator does not just accomplish things alone- he needs students who inspire him, colleagues who support him, a district that uplifts him, and his family who does all that and more. In short, it takes a pueblo.”

Gómez was nominated by former East Leyden Principal Dr. Dominic Manola and Director of Multicultural Learners Christina Schimdt, and his colleague Bianca Araujo for this honor. 

Dr. Manola cited in his letter of recommendation: “Víctor exemplifies exceptional knowledge and expertise, coupled with an endless commitment to ensuring the success of all students. One of the most inspiring examples of his dedication is his work to create opportunities for our multilingual students to earn college credit through Elmhurst University’s STEM Academy. Mr. Gomez tirelessly advocated for these students, collaborating with Elmhurst faculty and our school to establish this groundbreaking opportunity.”

Gómez has been a part of the Leyden family since 2018. He is a graduate of Elmhurst University where he studied biology, science education, chemistry and Spanish. He completed his student teaching at Fenton High School, and worked as an aide and tutor briefly prior to starting his professional career at Leyden.

“Mr. Gomez’s work reflects his deep commitment to equity and the success of all students,” said Schmidt. “He strives to provide our multilingual learners with the opportunities he never had growing up, ensuring that language or other barriers do not limit their potential.”

 

Mr. Gómez would like to provide the following, in gratitude:

To my father, who immigrated to Chicago at the age of thirteen with the dream of becoming an engineer but, as a multilingual learner, struggled to find support for his language at school, thank you for persevering to reach your goals and showing me the importance of becoming a beacon of change in STEM education. To my wife, who, when I almost did not pursue education as a possibility even though I knew it was my calling, uplifted me and reminded me of the difference I could make, thank you. To my students, mis estudiantes, always remember that your linguistic and cultural diversity is an asset to celebrate. Ser bilingües es un verdadero superpoder y ustedes son una inspiración para mi. To my colleagues, our transformative practices of advocating for the emergence of the bilingual program, creating spaces for bilingual students to celebrate their heritage and language, and providing access to curricula that are cognizant of their multilingualism are nothing short of outstanding-thank you for all you do for nuestros estudiantes. To Leyden, who saw in me as a first-year teacher the ability to use my Latinidad and bilingualism to advocate for multilingual learners and build STEM pathways for our students and bilingual student-teachers, thank you. This award is not just mine- it belongs to us all and is a reminder that our students are the heart, el corazon, of everything we do as educators.