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Please join us in celebrating Lincoln Elementary Spanish teacher Rocío Jacoby, who was named the 2026 Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ICTFL)!
Rocío received the award on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the ICTFL Fall Conference Awards Ceremony and will go on to compete for a regional teacher of the year award through the Central States region later this year.
Rocío has served as a Spanish teacher in District 97 for more than 20 years and also teaches adult learners outside of school.
“I want every learner, regardless of age, socioeconomic background or career stage to discover that learning another language opens doors to new opportunities, perspectives and relationships,” Rocío said in her personal statement to ICTFL. “In an increasingly interconnected world, developing cultural competence is no longer optional; it is essential.”
Lincoln Principal Marianne Rehfield shared the following about Rocío: “She continuously refines her practice to foster an engaging, culturally rich environment where every child thrives. Her dedication to world language education, commitment to student proficiency and impactful leadership make her exceptionally deserving of this award.”
Congratulations, Rocío!