Introduction to Victor Hurtado
OLD IRVING PARK — More than two decades ago, Victor Hurtado started his sophomore year at Schurz High School as a newly arrived immigrant from Mexico. Now, Hurtado teaches AP calculus and advanced algebra, is a certified dual-language educator and leads his department — at his alma mater. On Wednesday, Hurtado was recognized for his work with a prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Hurtado, who’s been teaching at Schurz for about eight years, was one of 11 Illinois educators to receive the award this year. He was selected from a pool of more than 470 nominees.
The Award Ceremony
Speaking in Spanish and English, the longtime math teacher dedicated the award to his students. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve you,” he said. Hurtado was surprised with the award during a morning assembly. The Golden Apple team invited him on stage and presented him with a $5,000 check. He was also awarded a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University.
Victor Hurtado was surprised with a Golden Apple award during a Schurz High School assembly on April 30, 2025. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago
‘Born To Be A Teacher’
Hurtado immigrated from Mexico when he was a teen in the late ’90s. His family moved to Logan Square and he enrolled in Schurz’s English-Spanish bilingual program. Hurtado said becoming a teacher “never even crossed my mind” when he was a high schooler. But his bilingual social studies teacher, Mr. Sanchez, encouraged him to enroll in community college. Hurtado went to Wilbur Wright College in Dunning and fell in love with the school’s math program. He went on to study at Northeastern University in North Park and began to volunteer as a teacher and tutor.
Teaching Career
After spending more than a decade teaching math at Foreman High School in Portage Park, Hurtado learned that Schurz was starting a dual-language program. He returned to his alma mater in 2017 to help get the program off the ground. At the time, Schurz was the only dual-language high school in Chicago. Hurtado teaches dual-language advanced algebra, a class that immerses students in Spanish. He said a lot of his students were born in Chicago but have Spanish-speaking parents. While they may be able to speak the language socially, dual-language classes give them the academic language they need to be completely fluent, he said.
From left, Victor Hurtado, his wife Monica Ornelas and their daughters Liczie and Scarlett. Credit: Molly DeVore/ Block Club Chicago
Conclusion
Schurz Principal Heidy Moran — who was the school’s assistant principal when the dual-language program started — said Hurtado is constantly innovating and coming up with new ways to reach his students. “He is truly one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever known,” she said. Hurtado will also become a Fellow of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a group that helps mentor teachers starting out in the profession. Hurtado’s wife, Monica Ornelas, and
