La Follette Teacher Honored with Yale Educator Award

When La Follette High School graduate Caroline Talis arrived at Yale University this fall, she carried with her more than academic preparation. She also carried the encouragement and inspiration of her bilingual teacher, Paulina Bravo Valenzuela … and she made sure Yale knew it.

Each year, incoming Yale students nominate educators who made a lasting difference in their lives. Out of more than 300 nominations from around the world, Bravo Valenzuela was selected as one of just 61 teachers and 26 counselors to receive the 2025 Yale Educator Award.

For Bravo Valenzuela, who also serves as La Follette’s dual-language immersion program and Seal of Biliteracy coordinator, the recognition is about much more than her own work.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award, but even more grateful to work alongside students who inspire me every day,” she said. “This is a reflection of their hard work, resilience and passion for learning. Supporting bilingual and multilingual learners has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.”

La Follette Principal Mat Thompson said Bravo Valenzuela’s leadership extends well beyond her daily teaching.

“Paulina has been a driving force in creating inclusive opportunities for students to celebrate and build on their language skills,” he said. “This honor from Yale is a testament to the life-changing influence she has on our Lancer community.”

For Talis, now a freshman at Yale, the impact was personal and profound: “I could not imagine a more deserving teacher. She has such an amazing and inspiring impact on students.”

Bravo Valenzuela sees the award as a shared accomplishment. “This award is not just for me,” she said. “It belongs to our students, families and colleagues who believe in the power of multilingual education.”

Her recognition also highlights La Follette’s role as a leader in language education, preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world. It’s a proud moment for the school and a reminder of the powerful difference teachers can make in shaping futures.