“The fact that I’m able to give back to my community is something great because I see myself in these kids. I have made a lot of great connections with my coworkers [and] I feel like I belong here.” -Maria Villegas, third grade dual-language teacher at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School

For Roosevelt teacher Maria Villegas, teaching in Cicero is very personal. 

A graduate herself of Cicero District 99, coming back to teach in the community she grew up in has been nothing short of a full-circle moment and dream come true for Villegas.

And, though she's only in her first year of teaching, Villegas' colleagues at Roosevelt have already taken notice of the many strides she has taken to connect with her students and fellow staff members — and for that, she was recognized at this week's Board of Education meeting as one of D99's Very Own.

Click here to see her story.