In the ever-changing landscape of education, where outstanding educators come and go, our school community considers itself fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Brian Frangella continuing to inspire students each day. This sentiment was powerfully affirmed when Mr. Frangella, an English teacher who instructs English 1 Honors, regular English, and AP Language and Literature, was recently honored with the prestigious Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago.
The award, which recognizes exceptional high school teachers who have made a profound and lasting impact on their students, came as a result of a heartfelt nomination by Karla Romero, a member of the OLCHS Class of 2025. Romero, now a first-year Neuroscience pre-med student at the University of Chicago, credited Mr. Frangella with fundamentally shaping her academic journey.
In her nomination, Romero reflected on her initial challenges with writing, noting that English was not her first language. “I’ve always had trouble sounding ‘academic’,” she wrote. However, she found a guide in Mr. Frangella, with whom she took both English 1 Honors and AP Lang. “He really helped me develop my essay writing,” Romero explained, “giving me the tools to write an essay in a small period of time,” a skill that proved invaluable for her AP test and beyond.
Beyond academic instruction, Romero highlighted the personal qualities that make Mr. Frangella’s classroom so effective. She described him as exceptionally welcoming, a trait that fostered a positive learning environment. “I never once dreaded walking into his class, even if it was zero-hour,” she shared. This rapport, she believes, is essential. “A student’s impression on the teacher heavily impacts their outlook on the class,” Romero noted, adding that his kindness allowed her to maintain a positive attitude even in one of the hardest courses she took in high school.
Romero also praised Mr. Frangella’s clarity and communication skills. “He never made me question what he was saying or confused me with the material,” she stated, emphasizing how vital clear understanding is for student success.
Perhaps the most significant testament to Mr. Frangella’s impact is the lasting resonance of his curriculum. Romero admitted she often struggles to retain material long-term but found that the books and analyses from his class have stayed with her. Works like In Cold Blood and The Great Gatsby, which she now counts among her favorite books, were not just assignments but engaging reads that sparked a lasting intellectual curiosity. “Even the analysis we’d have on those books has resonated with me today,” she wrote, “something few other required materials have managed to do.”
The nomination process itself, delayed only by a busy exam schedule in March, was something Romero was determined to complete. “Nominating Mr. Frangella was an obvious choice,” she said.
The Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago is a competitive honor that underscores the critical role high school teachers play in preparing students for future success. Mr. Frangella’s recognition celebrates not just his ability to teach complex material, but his talent for building confidence, fostering a love for literature, and creating a classroom where every student feels capable and welcomed.
The school community extends its deepest congratulations to Mr. Brian Frangella on this well-deserved honor and thanks Karla Romero for sharing her story, which so eloquently captures the difference a dedicated educator can make.
