From speaking zero English to winning the 2018 Outstanding Young Educator Award. This is what Julian Cortes, Norman Rockwell Elementary School, has achieved so far in his life. The Outstanding Young Educator award is given by the Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). ASCD is dedicated to ensuring all students are safe, healthy, engaged, supported and challenged.

Cortes is a Lake Washington School District alum and began elementary school speaking zero English. He often looks back on his own experience from the teachers that left an impression on him and his education as an English Language Learner. Now as a fifth-grade teacher, Cortes has been key to emerging work at his school around teaching empathy. He has taught Better World Ed empathy lessons to his students and shared the impact they had on students with his colleagues. Check out this video of Cortes' students as they share their perspectives on Empathy Challenges they've been engaging with in his classroom.

Cortes continually looks for ways to make his class fun, engaging and memorable. His principal has found Cortes dressed as a "Math Wizard" decorated with a cape and hat as he engaged his students in a math lesson. Between witty quips and math puns, Cortes delivers high-level, discussion-focused instruction. He engages his learners in learning experiences like this all the time.

Congratulations to Julian Cortes for his excellent work in instructional leadership in teaching and learning.