Adelante Charter School Teacher Named 2026 CABE Teacher of the Year

Written by Adelante Charter School

Adelante Charter School teacher Erika Ruiz Santillán has been named the 2026 Teacher of the Year by the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), recognizing her leadership and dedication to bilingual education.

Ruiz Santillán received the statewide honor in San Francisco during CABE’s annual conference, which celebrates educators advancing multilingual learning and student achievement across California.

She has been teaching for 16 years, beginning her career in 2009 at César Chávez Charter School, a dual-language immersion school located just blocks from her childhood home that later became Adelante Charter School. Over the years, she has mentored new educators, served on the school’s leadership team, and supported students as they develop bilingual and biliterate skills while celebrating their cultural identities.

“Watching my students learn in two languages and feel proud of their languages and cultures reminds me every day why this work is so meaningful,” Ruiz Santillán said. “Seeing them believe in themselves and celebrate who they are is the reason I do this work.”

Her recognition comes during a period of strong academic progress for Adelante Charter School. Over the past two years, the school has seen increases in student test scores, including improvements in English language arts, mathematics, and outcomes for English learners.

In February 2025, Adelante was also named a California Distinguished School, one of the state’s highest honors for public schools.

Director Javier Bolivar said Ruiz Santillán’s award reflects the dedication of the entire school community.

“Erika’s recognition highlights the passion and commitment our educators bring to students every day,” Bolivar said. “We are incredibly proud of our school community and the success our students continue to achieve.”