A teacher in Chicago received a major honor this past April – and the celebration was one to remember.
Ms. Bertha Velazquez of Chicago Public School’s Mary Lyon School was awarded the “Teacher of the Month” for April 2026 for her contributions for nearly three decades to her students.
Those individuals showed their appreciation for Velazquez by throwing a major celebration for the award. A number of students and faculty gathered on the second floor of the school for the official presentation ceremony featuring Ankin Law Attorney Derek Lax.
From loud cheers to confetti to even the choir singing the school song, it’s arguably the greatest celebration for one of the winners of the “Teacher of the Month” in the award’s history.
Velazquez is the eight recipients of the honor during the 2025-2026 academic year and the second from Chicago Public Schools. Jillian Nolke of Skinner North Classical School received the “Teacher of the Month” award in October.
You can watch the awards ceremony and learn more about Velazquez in the video.
