‘Her Passion Radiates From Her’

by Tim Hadac, Southwest Chicago Post / Jan 21, 2025

Ask any parent whose son or daughter is taught by Gabriela Torres, Ed.M. '24 SPED, at Hancock High School, and you’ll hear stories illustrating why she has been named the Midway Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

“Ms. Torres is very passionate. Her passion radiates from her,” says Garfield Ridge resident Cindy Patino, whose daughter, Alondra, is a special needs student at Hancock. “(Torres) goes above and beyond for her students.”

Patino nominated Torres for the award.

Before enrolling at Hancock, Alondra (who is autistic) “could be sluggish, a kid who didn’t really want to do much and who often kept to herself. But since starting at Hancock with Ms. Torres, she has changed for the better. Now she goes to school happy every day. She hardly ever misses a day of school. She’s making friends. She’s participating in sports (via Hancock’s connection with Special Olympics). It’s wonderful to see.”

In fact, “the whole school has been amazingly great for Alondra and for her education--not only Ms. Torres but the other teachers, the classroom assistants, gym teacher, caseworker--everyone has been very supportive. They’ve fostered an inclusive environment for Alondra and the rest of the students.”

Torres recalls that she was “very surprised” when she heard she had been nominated for the MCC Teacher of the Year award.

“When I found out, it was right around report card pick-up. I learned that I was nominated by a parent of one of my students. That was very gratifying. The award means a lot, but even more when I think the nomination came from a parent.”

At Hancock, she teaches children with low-incidence disabilities, such as autism or Down syndrome. Her classes focus on teaching life skills like shopping, cooking, and doing laundry. The goal is to move her students towards living as independently as possible as they approach their adult years.

While Torres acknowledges that her work can be life-changing for her students, she says they change her life for the better, too.

“I learn from them. I’m inspired by their resilience,” she says. “They love going to school, and that helps make me love going to work every day.”

This is an excerpt from an article originally published by the Southwest Chicago Post. Read the full story here...

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‘Her Passion Radiates From Her’