Former English Learner Wins Scholarship to Teach Middle School

Valeria Rios knows exactly what it feels like to walk into a classroom and not understand a single word. Now she's preparing to become the teacher she needed when she was that scared 12-year-old.

Rios, a senior at Illinois State University, recently received the 2025 Charlotte Corray Kinkade Endowed Scholarship. The award recognizes students planning to teach middle school language arts.

Her story began in Monterrey, Mexico, where she lived until her family moved to Peoria, Illinois. She left behind everything familiar and faced American schools without knowing English.

"The care, patience, and guidance my teachers provided during that transition played a significant role in my personal and academic growth," Rios said. That experience planted a seed that grew into her teaching career.

Now she's student teaching at George Evans Junior High School in Bloomington. She chose to focus on middle school students because those years shape who kids become.

"During these years, students are learning more about who they are—their interests, talents, and identities," she explained. She sees herself in many of her students still finding their way.

Why This Inspires

Rios isn't just teaching English language arts. She's earning an endorsement in English as a second language so she can provide individualized support to students like her younger self.

Her professors say she's already making an impact. Dr. Meghan Kessler calls her "a conscientious and bright future teacher" who approaches students with warmth and care.

Professor Courtney Prather noticed something special about Rios's teaching style. She doesn't just cover content but weaves students' interests, identities, and voices into every lesson.

"Her smile alone is going to make a difference in the lives of many students," said professor Winnie Slater. She described Rios as a gem with a supportive demeanor and humble devotion to growth.

Rios credits her professors at Illinois State with shaping her teaching philosophy. Their influence strengthened her commitment to becoming a compassionate educator who sees every student as capable of greatness.

She chose Illinois State specifically for its strong reputation in teacher preparation. The middle-level Professional Development Schools program gave her hands-on experience in real classrooms.

Her passion for English language arts runs deep because it teaches students to think critically and express themselves creatively. Those skills open doors that stay open for life.

The teachers who helped her learn English changed her trajectory, and she's ready to pay that gift forward to the next generation of students finding their voices.