ISBE Names Seth Brady of Naperville Community Unit School District 203 as the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year

NAPERVILLE - The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today named Seth Brady, a social studies teacher in Naperville Community Unit School District 203, as the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders surprised Brady with the announcement during a visit to Naperville Central High School. View photos from the event.

Brady, the 2026 Far West Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year, has taught at Naperville Central High School since 2004. His courses include Peace Studies, World Cultures, Anthropology, World Religions, and the STEM/Humanities Capstone. Known for creating inclusive, inquiry-driven classrooms that empower students to engage with complex issues, Brady has guided students whose work has helped inform multiple pieces of Illinois legislation, including laws related to climate education, media literacy, opioid antagonist access, maternal health equity, allergy education, and fentanyl awareness.

Dr. Sanders selected Brady from 13 finalists across the state.

"At its best, teaching empowers students to understand the world and take action to improve it," said Dr. Sanders. "For more than two decades, Mr. Brady has modeled a powerful vision of teaching grounded in inclusion, inquiry, global awareness, and a deep belief in every student. His work encourages young people to engage thoughtfully with the world around them and take informed action on issues that matter. Illinois is proud to recognize Mr. Brady as a leader who represents the very best of our educators."

Beyond the classroom, Brady has contributed to shaping Illinois' social studies standards, co-authored national standards for constitutionally appropriate religious studies, and serves as project director of the Illinois Global Scholar program, a statewide initiative he helped design to expand global education opportunities for students.

"In my classes, students use their experiences as the foundation for understanding the world and imagining improvements," said Brady in his Teacher of the Year application materials. "My deliberate choices, framing lessons around inquiry, connecting content to identity, and standing alongside students as a co-learner help them see themselves as capable of both understanding and changing the world. My goal is not to fill them with knowledge but to meet them where they are at, to help them discover the power of their voices, and to realize that learning has the power to transform who we are and what we can do."

"In Naperville 203, we strive to empower students to think critically and engage deeply with the world. Seth Brady brings that vision to life every day," said Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Superintendent Dan Bridges. "By centering his classroom on inquiry and student agency, he has shown what's possible when we trust students to take on real-world challenges. This recognition reflects not only his impact in Naperville, but across the state of Illinois."

"Having worked alongside Seth for more than two decades, I've seen his vision grow from a classroom goal into something that's influencing education across Illinois," said Naperville Central High School Principal Jackie Thornton. "He doesn't just teach. He fosters students to be thoughtful, empathetic participants in the world. This recognition reflects years of dedication to our students and the Redhawk community, and we could not be more proud."

As the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Brady will begin a state-funded one-year sabbatical in July. He also will represent Illinois in the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers.

Learn more about the 2026 Illinois Teacher of the Year and ISBE's Teacher of the Year program on the ISBE Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year webpage.