The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognized the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year Cohort at a celebratory reception in Normal on Saturday, March 14. Speakers at the event commended the educators for their dedication and encouraged them to use their new platform to lead and advocate for the profession. The program featured remarks from Dr. Tony Sanders, state superintendent of education; Dr. Steven Isoye, ISBE Board chair and 1998 Illinois Teacher of the Year; Dr. Rachael Mahmood, 2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year and vice president of the Illinois State Teacher of the Year organization; Bill Polasky, 2019 Illinois Teacher of the Year finalist and president of the Illinois State Teacher of the Year organization; and Víctor Gómez, 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year. The 14 members of the 2026 Teacher of the Year Cohort were selected from the top nominees across Illinois for the 2026 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards.

Photo Caption: The 2026 Teacher of the Year Cohort with State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders and ISBE Board Chair Dr. Steven Isoye at the Teacher of the Year Cohort Reception in Normal. Photo Credit: Illinois State Board of Education