Seth Brady, a social studies teacher at Naperville Central High School, has been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as a 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year for the far west suburbs and is now a finalist for the Illinois Teacher of the Year award.
Brady is one of 14 Teacher of the Year Cohort members honored by the state board of education.
On Wednesday, the state board also presented nearly 450 educators, administrators and other school staff with Those Who Excel awards for making a meaningful difference for students and in their schools.
Brady was selected for his career-long dedication to global education, civic engagement and his commitment to fostering inclusive, inquiry-based learning environments, a news release from Naperville School District 203 said.
He has taught at Naperville Central since 2004 and leads courses in Peace Studies, World Cultures, Anthropology, World Religions and the STEM/Humanities Capstone.
Under his guidance, students have helped author and inspire Illinois legislation on issues that include climate education, media literacy, fentanyl awareness and maternal health equity, the district said.
“We know Seth Brady as an outstanding Redhawk educator who has demonstrated commitment to implementation of inquiry-based classroom practices and learning experiences that build understanding of cultures, religions, ideologies and perspectives that promote equity and support the success of all students,” Central Principal Jackie Thornton said.
Brady also serves as the project director for the Illinois Global Scholar program, an initiative he co-designed to expand global education opportunities for students statewide.
In addition, he has helped shape Illinois’ social studies standards and co-authored national standards for constitutionally appropriate religious studies, officials said.
He has previously been recognized with the 2024 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence and the 2021 Northwestern University Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award.
The state board of education will name the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year this spring from the 14 regional and specialized teachers of the year.
A record number of nominations were submitted for the 2026 Those Who Excel and Teacher of The Year awards, the state board of education said.
“These honorees have dedicated themselves to inspiring our students, setting the next generation up for success, and working tirelessly to make their schools — and our state — a premier place for education,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement.
Two other District 203 employees were recognized as part of the state awards.
Angelo Georgacopoulos, a student support personnel, was given the award of meritorious service and teacher Olivia Jaime was given the award of excellence.
Educators presented with the award of meritorious service have gone above and beyond in service to their school communities, the state board said. They are experienced educators who take on leadership opportunities and whose accomplishments uplift the culture of learning in their school.
Winners of the award of excellence must demonstrate a commitment to equity and to the success of all students, the state board of education said. Those educators regularly collaborate with colleagues, students and families to create positive school culture, connect their schools to the community at large and inspire other education professionals.
Three educators in Indian Prairie School District 204 also received state honors.
Teachers Sarah Brucher and Amy Melin were given the award of meritorious service and teacher Jessica Walsh was the recipient of an award of excellence.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
