* From Steve Metsch at the Tribune…

East Leyden High School science teacher Víctor Gómez knew something was up Wednesday morning thanks to a maintenance worker.

Just before noon, the worker told Gómez he and his students had to evacuate their classroom and relocate to the band room because of a broken water pipe.

“I didn’t see any water. I thought, this is odd,” Gómez said.

Moments later, he was proven correct as he led his students into the band room.

Gomez broke into a huge smile when he walked through an archway made of yellow, blue and white balloons just inside the doorway.

Festive music filled the air, courtesy of Mariachi Estrellas De Chicago. And as Gómez walked in, school officials, teachers, parents, students and his family began applauding and cheering for the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year, as declared by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Go read the whole thing…

“You can give as many speeches as you want but if you’re not working with people, nothing will get done,” [Gómez] said.