President
Lauren Schultz
Contact: president@itbe.org 

Lauren Schultz is a dedicated educator who enjoys working with English language learners.She received her Bachelor‘s degree from Western Illinois University in Elementary Education.Later, Lauren received her Master‘s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in ESL from National Louis University.She has been teaching in the elementary/middle school classroom for ten years and currently teaches 8^thgrade Reading/Language Arts in Cicero District 99.In addition, Lauren has been teaching a variety of adult English language classes at GT Educational Center.Teaching English language learners of all ages is her passion!

Vice President
Sandra Moran
Contact: vp@itbe.org / convention@itbe.org

Sandra Moran received her doctorate from Aurora University. She obtained her master's degree from National Louis University in Curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in English as a second language and bilingual education.  Mrs. Moran completed her B.A at U.I.C. She immigrated with her family to the United States from Mexico at the age of 7 and was raised in the Chicago Pilsen neighborhood. Dr. Moran is currently the  Director of Bilingual Education and English as a second language for Wauconda Community Unified School District 118. She has been involved in dual and bilingual education for 27 years as a bilingual/ESL educator, district administrator, professional developer, and researcher. Dr. Moran has extensive experience collaborating and facilitating bilingual parent advisory committees, collaborating with PK-12 districts across Illinois, designing and implementation, and revisions of multicultural programs.

PastPresident
Maria A. Remigio (Angie)
Contact: nominations@itbe.org

Maria A. Remigio (Angie) has served as ITBE's Elementary SIG Chair and Vice President/Convention Chair. Her responsibilities included holding membership meetings during the ITBE Convention and organizing the Annual Elementary Poetry Contest. She ran the first virtual conference in 2021 as the Vice President and Convention Chair.. Angie currently serves as an English as a New Language Specialist in a suburban school district. She has done this for the past 7 years. Prior to this, she was a regular education teacher in the same district for 8 years. Angie has been an active member of ITBEsince 2016. Angie holds a B.S. Degree in Engineering, a Masters Degree in Bilingual Education, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is a dedicated member of her community who has participated in steering committees to enhance the community and its members such as the LIsle Young Life/WyldLife program and the Lisle Veterans Memorial. She has made a positive impact on English Language Learners and teachers. Other contributions include presenting in numerous conferences, facilitating workshops in her school district and participating in ITBE/TESOL events and professional learning opportunities.

Secretary
Open Position
Contact: secretary@itbe.org

Operation Manager
Akiko Ota
Contact: aota@itbe.org
Akiko Ota is the director of the English Language Learning Center at Governors State University. She attained M.A. TESOL, an M.S. Education (Postsecondary, Adult, and Continuing Education), and Ed.D. on Educational Leadership: Postsecondary Education from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She has been teaching English in the United States and Japan across the full spectrum of instructional levels (literacy to college transitional ESL) for various student populations and institutions for more than twenty years. In addition to her expertise in teaching English, she specializes in international student research and teaching, student services personnel training in U.S. higher education, curriculum development, and online teaching and learning. In her free time, she enjoys taking photography, Zumba, and good coffee at local coffee shops.

Business Consultant
Sylvia Rivera
Contact: mebership@itbe.org
Sylvia retired from her teaching career, having served English language learners in a suburban school district as a bilingual math teacher for 16 years. She also served as an adjunct professor at National Louis University and Benedictine University. Sylvia has been an active member of ITBE since 2011 and has served as the Operations Manager for most of the time. Sylvia has numerous post-secondary degrees, including an M.S. in Education and another in Educational Leadership.She is passionate about contributing to the field of English-language learners and professionals and to this end, has presented in numerous conferences, facilitated workshops for local districts and participates in ITBE/TESOL events and professional learning opportunities.