07-05-2025
Bilingual teacher Elisa Williams honored on National Teacher's Week in Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — For Elisa Williams, a second grade bilingual teacher at Lathrop Elementary, National Teacher's Week is special for her and others in her profession.
'We have so many teachers that work so hard every day for our students, and it just means the world to us to be acknowledged. I feel like we're acknowledged every day with these kids, but to have parents and community members reach out and give us special recognition, it really means a lot to us,' she said.
Williams said teaching was a calling for her, ever since she was in school herself.
'I've always known since I was a little girl that I was going to be a teacher. I remember in fourth grade we had to write an essay about what we wanted to be when we grew up, and I knew at that moment that I wanted to be a teacher,' she said.
She has been teaching for 25 years, and said the support of her family and the sacrifices they made along the way made it possible.
'I'm the daughter of an immigrant from Mexico. They always, always supported us in education. Every day they woke us up. They took us to school. They encouraged us to get good grades. They made very heavy sacrifices for us to go to college. They encouraged us along the way,' Williams said.
Lathrop Principal Daniella Boyer said National Teacher's Week means more than just appreciation, but listening to and supporting teachers every single day.
'I want to say thank you. Thank you. For the past three years, for all you have done for me, for the kids,' she said.
Rockford Public Schools are highlighting a different grade level each day for the entire week.
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