U-46 bilingual instructional coach honored
Andrea Gaitán-Bustos, a bilingual instructional coach in Elgin Area School District U-46, recently received a Special Recognition Award from the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation.
She was nominated by state Rep. Fred Crespo for her work in the Latino community.
"Andrea has been a champion for bilingual students at U-46," U-46 CEO Tony Sanders said. "She has gone the extra mile in and out of the classroom to ensure Latino students are equipped with the tools they need to achieve academic success."
Gaitán-Bustos supports 28 schools within the district that offer dual language programs. She has hosted parent workshops and implemented interventions and progress monitoring for bilingual students. She is an active volunteer and board secretary for the Somos Colombia Civic Organization, which provides scholarships for Latino students pursuing college education. She also is a mentor for Keeping the Promise Foundation, a program offering scholarships to students graduating from middle school with the desire to succeed in high school.
"It is a great feeling to be recognized since education and helping others is a passion of mine," Gaitán-Bustos said.
Gaitán-Bustos began working for U-46 in 2008 as a teacher at Laurel Hill Elementary School in Hanover Park. She has served on several district committees for response to intervention, school improvement, bilingual, English language arts writing curriculum with Common Core focus, and professional development.
ECC named military friendly school for fourth time:
Elgin Community College has been named a Military Friendly School for 2015 by G.I. Jobs magazine - the fourth year the college has received the designation.
The magazine reaches more than 75,000 military personnel globally and provides information on education, transition assistance, and job opportunities.
"Veterans can rely on Elgin Community College as an institution that values their military experience and offers them the best education, value, and friendliness," said Anitra King, the college's career and veteran specialist.
The Military Friendly Schools designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.
ECC will be included in the magazine's 2015 Guide to Military Friendly Schools and receive a listing online at militaryfriendlyschools.com.
ECC provides a number of veterans resources, such as support for disabled veterans, counseling assistance, financial aid and educational benefits assistance. For information, call King at (847) 214-7531, or visit elgin.edu/veteransservices.