Rachael Mahmood is an elementary school teacher at Indian Prairie School District in Aurora, Illinois. She is dedicated to nurturing her students’ love for school through identity-affirming curriculum, engaging instructional methods and relationships that build a culture of care. Mahmood teaches students to recognize their agency in shaping a better world.

Mahmood received a Bachelor of Education from Benedictine University, Master of Education from Elmhurst University and doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University. She was recognized as a semifinalist in the Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence and the Distinguished Alumni of Elmhurst University. Mahmood was honored with the Michael Feldman Educational Leadership Award from Elmhurst University and the Rising Star Alumni Award from Benedictine University.

During her two decades in education, Mahmood has chaired equity teams and a diversity advisory parent group, facilitated dialogue circles, delivered professional development and authored curriculums within her district and across the state. As a Teach Plus fellow and the Educational Task Force chair for the Muslim Civic Coalition, she leads resource design and professional development to accompany new educational laws passed in Illinois.

Beyond the classroom, Mahmood consults for schools by designing and presenting professional development frameworks for educators. She shares these tools on blogs and social media platforms under the handle @equityteacherleader. As the Illinois Teacher of the Year, Mahmood has organized World Cafes across the state, bringing educators, students and families together in dialogue to increase belonging. Mahmood’s ultimate goal is to create frameworks and resources to transform education nationally.