Elisabethe

Elisabethe has always been guided by her parents and her calling to serve others.

“That’s how I ended up in the Peace Corps,” she says with passion and pride.

Elisabethe grew up attending Sidney Sawyer grammar school, then graduated from Curie High School in 2013. Like many first-generation students, one of her biggest tasks was simple but overwhelming: getting into college. Education mattered deeply in her home—her parents raised her in a structured environment rooted in strong values, but figuring out college was all brand-new territory for the family.

“Thank goodness for the Star Scholarship,” said Elisabethe. “I knew I wanted a career in education, so in 2015, I enrolled at Richard J. Daley College. Taking advantage of the scholarship was a decision that became foundational to who I am today. Daley was more than a school to me; it was my community.”

Through her job with the Student Advisory Department at Daley, Elisabethe gained first-hand experience helping students who were just like her.

“I built meaningful relationships with peers and professors who believed in my potential. There was a sense of belonging that strengthened my confidence and helped me understand that my background was an asset, not a barrier. My experience there made my graduation and transition to a four-year institution not just possible, but successful.”

After graduating from Daley, Elisabethe transferred to Illinois College and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in education in 2017. Then, she joined Teach For America and began her career with the Chicago Public School system. Over the years, she’s taken on many teaching roles, but special education is particularly close to her heart.

“I’ve taught at many different schools, including Instituto Justice Leadership Academy and Excel Academy in Southwest Chicago, always guided by the desire to give back to the community that raised me. Education, for me, is about instilling values, building trust, and opening doors that once felt closed for others.”

Elisabethe’s passion for intercultural exchange and reconnecting with her heritage led her to the Peace Corps. As a Peace Corps volunteer, she committed to 27 months of service, including 10 weeks of intensive training. She is currently serving in Mexico. While her service concludes in 2027, her commitment to others and to her community is lifelong.