Carmel Catholic High School is thrilled to announce that esteemed Spanish teacher, Esmeralda Mora, has been recognized as the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ICTFL) Teacher of the Year. This prestigious accolade shines a light on Esmeralda's dedicated spirit and profound love for teaching.
Her innovative methods in language education have not only left an indelible mark on her students but have also resonated deeply within our broader community.
“My ultimate goal is to do good in the world. I believe that by fostering a love of learning, encouraging critical thinking, and providing access to knowledge, I can ignite a passion for lifelong growth and make a positive impact on the world,” says Esmeralda.
As an awardee, Esmeralda becomes a candidate for the Central States Conference Regional Teacher of the Year Award and will serve as an ICTFL delegate to Language Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. The ICTFL award is intended to elevate the profession’s status at the state, regional, and national levels by creating opportunities to recognize the most accomplished members of the profession.
About Esmeralda Mora
Esmeralda Mora is a Mexican-American international bestselling author, educator, and language learning leading advocate who is passionate about making language learning accessible and fun. She is a dedicated high school teacher who has taught all levels of Spanish, including Advanced Placement courses and has led department-wide international festivals. Her active leadership roles and volunteer work, demonstrate her dedication to education and community involvement. Esmeralda is the Founding Director of the Language Learner Literature Advisory Board, a community of scholars auditing language learning literature through a lens of inclusive excellence and has been tapped by the state of Illinois to serve as a judge for the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages. She has been an invited speaker to international audiences, presenting at conferences such as ACTFL and Harvard Latinas and has been featured on PBS. Esmeralda holds an M.A. in Latin American Literature, a B.A. in International Studies, and a Doctorate in Education at National Louis University. She is currently working on her next young adult novel for Spanish language classes. For more information, visit esmeraldamora.com.