Glenbard West Spanish teacher awarded community honor

Spanish teacher Maria Belgrave, has been called a "gift" to Glenbard West High School.

She teaches Spanish for heritage speakers - those who grow up speaking Spanish but need to work on developing formal Spanish skills - as well as Advanced Placement courses in Spanish and Spanish Literature. Belgrave said she also is one of the sponsors for the Glenbard Latino Organization.

Belgrave's efforts in the classroom have earned her recognition as the Glen Ellyn Educator of the Year from Glenbard High School District 87. Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 and Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 also had educators recognized.

"We work really hard to help these kids because when they arrive to high school some of them lack of many skills and abilities," she said. "So through our Spanish classes, we try to teach them how to get focused, how to do homework. We teach them how to write."

Belgrave said she also tries to teach her students about the process to get into college.

World Language Department Chairwoman Lisa Alajoki said Belgrave is an advocate for the entire Latino student population, and that she also bridges the gap with Spanish-speaking families through phone calls and meetings.

"She just goes the extra mile every single day for kids."