Dr. Rachael Mahmood is a 2024-2025 Illinois Policy Fellow and teacher at Indian Prairie School District 204 in Aurora, Illinois. She has a passion for creating a culture of belonging through culturally responsive curriculum and instruction. Rachel was named the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education, a Rising Star Alumni Award from Benedictine University (2022), and a semifinalist for National Teaching Award of Excellence from Learning for Justice (2020). She serves as the Educational Task Force Chair for the Muslim Civic Coalition and manages her own educational consulting company, Equity Teacher Leader, LLC. Rachel earned her BEd in education with a minor in psychology and middle school certifications in English and social science from Benedictine University and her MA in teacher leadership with a certification in reading leadership from Elmhurst University. She also earned her EdD in curriculum leadership.
