The World Languages Teacher Education (WLTE) program is proud to celebrate three students and alumni recognized at this year’s Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ICTFL) Fall Conference for their outstanding contributions to world language education.
One WLTE alumna, Sheila Jara (’24), as well as two current students Itzel Ordaz (’27) and Caera Crimmins (’27) were recognized on October 8th at the ICTFL Fall Conference in Naperville, IL.
Sheila Jara, recipient of the ICTFL New Teacher of a World Language Award, is a 2024 graduate of the Spanish BAT/WLTE program and currently teaches Spanish at the Chicago Math and Science Academy.
Sheila was recognized for her culturally responsive approach to language teaching and the impact that she has had in just her third year of teaching. Sheila serves as Department Chair at her school, and has launched both a Spanish Club as well as a Latino Student Union. She embraces student identities and encourages them to use their Spanish as a tool for meaningful connection.
Itzel Ordaz, recipient of the ICTFL Award for College World Language Teaching Majors, is currently enrolled in the Spanish BAT and is pursuing licensure through the WLTE program.
Itzel was recognized for her commitment to making language learning engaging, culturally rich, and meaningful. Inspired by her own experiences with Spanish, she helps students build curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the people, histories, and cultures that shape their communities.
Caera Crimmins, also honored with the ICTFL Award for College World Language Teaching Majors, is enrolled in the Spanish BAT program and is pursuing licensure through the WLTE program.
Caera was recognized for helping students discover how language can bring people together and open doors to new experiences. She encourages learners to explore across cultures and to develop the intercultural competence to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
These three award recipients represent the strength and impact of the WLTE program’s mission: to prepare language educators who inspire communication, cultural understanding, and global citizenship. The program congratulates Sheila Jara, Itzel Ordaz, and Caera Crimmins on their remarkable achievements and contributions to world language education at such an early stage in their careers.