“I nominated [Alicia Arenas] because she is a great teacher. She is what you would want to see if you walked into a classroom. When you walk in there, you will see kids engaged. The level of respect in that classroom is phenomenal — it’s a classroom where students can take risks and are not afraid to fail because everyone is going to pick them up.” -Heriberto Garcia, principal of Columbus West Elementary School

For the past 20 years, Alicia Arenas has worked tirelessly to enrich both the minds and spirits of the students she's taught at Columbus West Elementary School. 

After all, as Arenas says herself, it's easy to come to work every day when you do what you love — especially since education has been a passion since her childhood. 

For her outstanding dedication to the students and families of Cicero, Arenas was recognized at the March Board of Education meeting as "D99's Very Own."

Watch her story here: