BILINGUAL TEACHER WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Luanelly Iglesias, a Danbury bilingual teacher, recently won the National Education Association’s 2019 Human and Civil Rights George I. Sanchez Memorial Award, which honors teachers who significantly advance equal opportunities for Hispanics.

Iglesias, who teaches at Rogers Park Middle School, received the award for her distinguished leadership in education, honoring activities that have made significant improvements in education opportunities and advanced the achievement of Hispanics, according to the press release.

“Throughout her career, Luanelly has been a tireless champion for her students, creating a bilingual program for students recently arriving in the United States,” Connecticut Education Association President Jeff Leake said in the release. “Her efforts in the school community through family engagement continues to provide students the opportunity to have pride in their Hispanic heritage. The cultural exchanges that Luanelly brings to the classroom and the school community teach students the importance of honoring the past, embracing their culture and language, and working hard toward a bright future.”

Iglesias worked in a factory to help support her family and was a bilingual student herself 30 years ago, when she moved to the mainland from Puerto Rico, according to the release.

“I learned how to defeat many barriers through the power of education,” she said at the CEA Representative Assembly last weekend. “Many of our students spend more of their time with us than with their families.”