Hultgren Congratulates 2017 Illinois Teacher of the Year!

Washington, DC — U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) is proud to join Illinois in congratulating Ricardo “Ricky” Castro, a 14th District constituent from Warrenville who has earned the 2017 Illinois Teacher of the Year award. Castro, an English as a Second Language teacher at Elk Grove High School, was selected from a group of 10 finalists for the prestigious award earlier this year. He was announced as this year’s top educator at the 42nd annual Those Who Excel/Illinois Teacher of the Year banquet.

“Students in northern Illinois deserve the best our education system has to offer, and Mr. Castro has demonstrated his excellence in serving our students and communities. As I’ve witnessed in meeting with my STEM Scholars class, the key to the learning process is sparking excitement in our students’ hearts and minds and encouraging them to discover and experiment. Our future depends on great teachers like Mr. Castro. The 14th District is honored to celebrate yet another Teacher of the Year from our area, and we look forward to Mr. Castro’s advocacy on behalf of our students across the state,” said Rep. Hultgren

As Illinois Teacher of the Year, Castro will have an opportunity to share his knowledge and expertise outside the classroom. Beginning in the 2017 spring semester, he will be available to speak at teaching workshops, education conferences and community meetings. Castro will also represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, and the National Teacher of the Year program. He will also serve as an example to the people of the 14th District that their actions can and do have a positive impact on the world.

Rep. Hultgren is co-chair of the House STEM Education Caucus and recently launched his STEM Scholars leadership program. The program encourages highly-motivated and energetic high school students to become ambassadors in their communities for the possibilities provided by science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through regular communication between 14th District youth and their U.S. Congressman, and with STEM experts and professionals in northern Illinois and beyond.

Previously, 14th District constituent and Second-Grade Sandwich educator Pam Reilly was named 2014 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

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