Addison Trail alumnus pursues teaching career, continues to give back to Village of Addison

Photo provided by Addison Public Library

Addison Trail alumnus Mateo Gomez Bedoya (class of 2022, pictured above) recently served as an instructor for the Addison Public Library’s Read and Write in Spanish class, which provides an opportunity for Spanish-speaking residents to improve their literacy skills in their primary language.

The program is a strategic partnership between the library and Elmhurst University. The first course/session took place from September to December 2023, and the second course/session (which was taught by Gomez Bedoya) took place from February to May 2024. The library plans to continue the class this fall.

Gomez Bedoya is a student intern at Elmhurst University, and a university professor recommended him for this teaching role. Gomez Bedoya will be a junior this fall and is pursuing a major in secondary education and Spanish, as well as a minor in EL and Italian.

“I’m really excited to teach at the Addison Public Library, because I am from Addison and I went to Addison Trail High School,” Gomez Bedoya said in an article provided by the library. “I came here to the United States five years ago. My family has always been located in Addison; we love the community. This community has provided me with tons of opportunities … to be successful, so it’s time for me to give back.”

To read the full article, go to https://www.addisonlibrary.org/content/read-and-write-spanish-literacy-program-transforms-lives-library.