AAAL Announces Winner of the 2027 Distinguished Public Service Award: Ileana Najarro

AAAL Announces Winner of the 2027 Distinguished Public Service Award: Ileana Najarro

Ileana Najarro is a staff writer for Education Week. She covers topics of race and opportunity, including educational opportunities for English learners, and how federal immigration policy changes affect schools. 

Her national coverage focuses on how schools can uphold the rights of English learners and immigrant students, and what it means to offer multilingual students a high-quality education. 

An award-winning journalist, she has previously written for the Tampa Bay Times and the Houston Chronicle. She started her journalism career with internships at publications such as the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

She holds a B.A. in Communication from Stanford University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with Departmental Honors. Born in Los Angeles, she is the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants who inspired her to follow her passions and think critically about the world around her.

Congratulations, Ileana!