Dr. Tony Sanders State Superintendent of Education | Official website
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced Víctor Gómez as the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Gómez, a bilingual chemistry teacher at Leyden High School District 212, received the honor during a surprise announcement by State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tony Sanders, at East Leyden High School.
Gómez, who has been with the Leyden High School District for six years, is a proponent of bilingual education and has played a key role in co-developing the bilingual program at East Leyden. He also established the school's inaugural bilingual chemistry course. His work is centered on ensuring that multilingual students receive quality education and opportunities to succeed in STEM, including earning college credits through Elmhurst University's STEM Academy.
Dr. Sanders chose Gómez from a pool of 13 finalists across Illinois. According to Dr. Sanders, "Mr. Gómez is ready to meet the moment," emphasizing the growing number of English learners in the state and Gómez's ability to meet their educational needs.
Beyond his teaching duties, Gómez promotes cultural engagement and inclusion through initiatives like the Alianza Latina student club and the Mariachi Águilas de Leyden ensemble. He is involved in mentoring future bilingual educators in collaboration with Elmhurst University and the Noyce PRIDE STEM Teacher Scholars Program.
Gómez expressed his commitment to his students in a Teacher of the Year interview, where he stated, "Our students are the heart of everything we do." He highlighted the importance of bilingual programs and creating spaces for students to embrace their cultural heritage.
Leyden High School District 212 Superintendent Dr. Nick Polyak praised Gómez, stating, "Víctor is an incredibly talented and dedicated educator who gives of himself for the betterment of Leyden students." Dr. Polyak urged the community to join in celebrating Gómez's recognition.
East Leyden High School Principal Dr. Julie Lam commended Gómez's ability to inspire students, particularly in science, and his continuous efforts to enhance the bilingual science curriculum.
As the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Gómez will embark on a state-funded sabbatical starting in July and will represent Illinois in the National Teacher of the Year program organized by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Further information about Gómez and the ISBE's Teacher of the Year program can be found on the ISBE Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year webpage.
Alerts Sign-up