Recognizing Alumni Making an Impact Toward Education Equity

The Alumni of the Year awards honor distinguished alumni teachers, school leaders, and systems leaders who have shaped equity in education and strengthened our alumni community at the classroom, school, and systems levels. Winners will be announced in Spring 2025, will receive a $5,000 award, and will be honored at our annual gala in May and the Homecoming Summit in October. Get to know the finalists below.

For Teachers

The Frances and Elliot Lehman Alumni of the Year Award is an annual award given to an outstanding teacher in the Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana region who is an alum of Teach For America and has exemplified, shaped, and maintained equitable practices in their classroom.

Finalists

Maria Camila Henao

ELPT | Bilingual Coordinator | ESL Teacher

Kelvyn Park High School (Chicago Public Schools)

Jeraniqua Martin

5th Grade General Education Monolingual Teacher

A.J. Katzenmaier Academy

For School Leaders

The Zell Family Alumni of the Year Award is an annual award given to an outstanding school leader in the Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana region who is an alum of Teach For America and has exemplified, shaped, and maintained equitable practices in their school.

Finalists

Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn

Principal

Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School

Jarell Lee

Founding Principal, KIPP Academy Chicago Primary

KIPP Chicago Public Schools

NEW!

For Systems Leaders

The Systems Leader of the Year Award is an annual award given to an outstanding systems leader in the Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana region who is an alum of Teach For America and has exemplified, shaped, and maintained equitable practices within an organization, community, or across a sector, within or beyond the education landscape.