Brooks Middle School Teacher Named Finalist for 2026 ISBE Teacher of the Year

Ten VVSD Staff Members Recognized for Excellence, Meritorious Service or Special Recognition in ISBE “Those Who Excel” Awards

Brooks Middle School 8^th Grade Math Teacher Ghazala Manzoor receives the congratulations of Brooks staff members upon the announcement Ghazala is a finalist for 2026 ISBE Teacher of the Year.
 

Brooks Middle School 8^th Grade Math Teacher Ghazala Manzoor is a finalist for the 2026 Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of Year award after Ghazala was named 2026 ISBE Far South Suburbs Teacher of the Year.

Ghazala has more than 25 years of experience in education, including 18 years in the classroom, blending deep content expertise with a passion for equity and student success. Her commitment to creating an inclusive school environment is demonstrated through her foundational role on the Brooks Middle School Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team and her participation in an affinity group focused on supporting, training, retaining, and investing in diverse educators to build authentic relationships.

Ghazala holds a Bachelor of Arts in management from Benedictine University and a Master of Arts in education from DePaul University. She has also taught as an adjunct professor in DePaul’s master’s program for aspiring educators, extending her impact to the next generation of teachers.

In addition to Ghazala’s award from ISBE, four VVSD staff members are recognized by ISBE with Awards of Excellence: Romeoville HS Social Studies Teacher Dr. Michael Moro, Sykora Early Childhood Teacher Norma Rodriguez, Oak View Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Kaitlyn Sawn, and Mitchem Early Childhood Principal Tionia Williams.

Three VVSD staff members are recognized by ISBE with Awards of Meritorious Service: Brooks Middle School ESL English Language Arts Teacher Alondra Murillo; Bolingbrook HS Principal Dr. Jason Pascavage, and Administrative Center Executive Asst. Leticia Vasquez. Also recognized with an ISBE Award of Meritorious Service is WILCO Career Center Asst. Director/Principal Dr. Alicia Cook. (VVSD is one of five area school districts cooperating to provide students with career education at WILCO.)

ISBE Awards of Special Recognition are awarded to: Jonas Salk Elementary Continuous Improvement Coaching Coordinator Brittani Engel, Sykora Early Childhood Center Teacher Samantha Galindo, and Brooks Middle School Nutrition Services Manager Gail Weglarz.