West Chicago educator named Elementary Principal of the Year
Gloria Trejo, principal of Pioneer Elementary School in West Chicago, is the 2018 Illinois Elementary Principal of the Year.
The award, given by Horace Mann and the Illinois Principals Association, recognizes elementary school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community.
Representatives of Horace Mann and IPA, as well as West Chicago Elementary District 33 administrators, surprised Trejo with the news in the school's gym. Students and staff gathered to congratulate Trejo with loud applause and heartfelt hugs.
"I am very honored, to say the least, to have been chosen as the Elementary Principal of the Year for Illinois because it's such an honor to be recognized in a job that I so passionately enjoy," Trejo said. "However, I cannot receive an award without recognizing my Pioneer staff, teachers, colleagues and families. I attribute many of my successes to the Pioneer staff, who work very hard on a daily basis to provide the best education to our students while establishing strong relationships with students and families.
"I am proud of the work that has been done at Pioneer School and to receive this honor, I feel like we did this collaboratively and it is wonderful to be recognized for the hard work and effort," Trejo said.
Trejo has been a member of the Illinois Principals Association for 10 years. She is also active with the national Association of Latino Administrators and the Illinois Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, serving as a board member from 2015 to 2017, and was named 2017 ALAS Latino Administrator of the Year.
During her tenure as a school leader, Trejo has presented at educational conferences on the topics of student achievement and engagement, bilingual education, and dual language programs. Trejo also has worked directly with Jose Enriquez, national founder of Latinos in Action, to develop the student leadership organization into Leman Middle School. Latinos in Action operates as a yearlong course taught at the middle school with the goal of empowering Latino youth to lead and strengthen their communities through college and career readiness.
"I truly believe that Gloria is a great representative of all the wonderful principals that we have in our state," District 33 Superintendent Charles Johns said. "She is committed to the success of her school and community and builds the relationships that are needed to achieve those results. Our district and state have already grown from her passion, her insights, skill and vast knowledge."
The Elementary School Principal of the Year winner was selected from a pool of regional nominees provided by the 21 regions of the Illinois Principals Association. Trejo will be recognized at the IPA's annual Education Leaders Fall Conference in October and will receive a $1,000 honorarium.