Ricardo “Ricky” Castro, the 2017 Illinois Teacher of the Year, was recognized at the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, Jan. 8th, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Castro joined other state teachers of the year on the field prior to the national anthem for a celebration of the most influential teachers in the country. The live televised honor was part of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s weekend-long Teacher of the Year Championship Experience, hosted in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers’ (CCSSO) National Teacher of the Year Program and presented by Dr Pepper.

Castro and other state teachers of the year were honored guests at CFP Foundation events throughout the weekend leading up to the national championship game on Monday. The presentation on the field will be the pinnacle of the weekend, utilizing college football’s largest stage to showcase the nation’s top teachers. This is the second year of CCSSO’s partnership with the CFP Foundation. “I want to thank the College Football Playoff Foundation, Dr Pepper, and CCSSO for recognizing Ricky and the other state teachers of the year as the superstars they are,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “This is an incredible honor for incredibly deserving educators. I’m inspired to see the platform of the National Championship used to highlight excellent educators, especially as the state works to grow the number of diverse young people becoming teachers.”