Back when Brian Frangella was a night sports reporter and editor for Star Newspapers in the south suburbs, he had time earlier in the day, and began a side job substitute teaching.

That ended up being his true calling. He went back to school, obtained his teaching degree and now he’s been a popular English teacher at Oak Lawn Community High School for 23 years.

Now, those efforts have earned him the 2025 University of Chicago Outstanding Educator award.

Karla Romero, one of his former students and now a U of C freshman, nominated him as a way to thank him for all he taught her.

“From “Macbeth” freshman year to writing college application essays senior year, your way of teaching, along with your enthusiasm for the subject, has caused me to value and enjoy writing thought-provoking essay

See Full Page