When Kelly Blake Karstrand steps into her French classroom at Shepard High School, she is not just teaching a language. She is opening a door to the world.
That passion for global connection and student growth has earned her the honor of being named the 2025 Illinois Foreign Language Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Karstrand, a French teacher at Shepard for 19 years and a resident of Willowbrook, was recognized for her dedication, innovation and lifelong commitment to language education during the ICTFL Awards Ceremony held Oct. 9 at Northern Illinois University’s Naperville campus.
“I am humbled and honored to have been named the ICTFL Teacher of the Year,” Karstrand said. “I have so many wonderful world language colleagues across Illinois, especially my fellow D218 French teacher Katie Reed-Elinoff at Eisenhower, who have helped me become who I am. I have taught so many students in my career who have challenged me, inspired me and been the reason for doing what I love.”
Karstrand has spent nearly three decades in education, including 10 years at Morgan Park High School before joining Shepard.
She holds both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French from Illinois State University and studied abroad at the Université de Grenoble in France and Université Laval in Québec. Those experiences continue to shape her teaching philosophy today.
“I have dedicated a huge portion of the last 30 years of my life to being the best French teacher I can be,” she said. “I seek out professional development opportunities and present at conferences whenever I can. I work hard to have relevant, thought-provoking lessons daily where the students actually speak the language. Being recognized for all of this is truly an honor.”
The ICTFL Awards Committee praised Karstrand’s influence both inside and outside the classroom, highlighting her role as a mentor and leader in the profession.
“Equally impressive was the impact [Karstrand has] had on novice teachers,” the committee noted. “[Her] mentorship and encouragement serve as a model for how to strengthen and sustain the future of our profession.”
A Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellow, Karstrand has played a key role in expanding global education at Shepard. She helped implement the Seal of Biliteracy program to recognize students’ multilingual skills, led curriculum redesigns to include authentic cultural materials, and presented at national conferences on world language instruction.
Karstrand said the true reward of teaching lies in her students’ growth.
“My main goal as a French teacher has been to bring the world into my classroom and pass on my passion for French that was ignited in me as a high school student,” she said. “Seeing my students enjoy speaking French, learning French, developing cultural competence, understanding diverse perspectives and being curious learners is the reason I do what I do.”
She said she strives to create a classroom where every student feels seen and valued.
“I try to create an atmosphere of community and trust in my classroom and I make sure every student knows they belong,” Karstrand said. “I have students from years ago tell me that they remember our class fondly and send me pictures of their own travels to France and other French-speaking countries.”
Shepard Principal Dr. Tim Baker said the entire school community is celebrating her achievement.
“Her passion for foreign language education is infectious, and her dedication to our students is unparalleled,” Baker said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have a teacher of her caliber in our foreign language program.”
As the ICTFL Teacher of the Year, Karstrand will represent Illinois at the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages in March, where she will compete against top educators from 13 other states for the chance to become the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) National Teacher of the Year nominee.
Despite the accolades, Karstrand remains grounded.
“Thanks for the recognition,” she said. “I am but one of countless teachers in the trenches every day, doing this vital work with passion and perseverance.”
Whether she is guiding students through their first French conversation or inspiring them to explore the world beyond their community, Kelly Blake Karstrand continues to prove that the lessons learned in her classroom reach far beyond language. They are lessons in empathy, curiosity and connection.