This story was edited on March 17 with a correction.

The D219 Assyrian program received the 2026 Language for All Award by the Central States Conference on Teaching Foreign Languages on Feb. 5. This award is given to educators who teach lesser-known languages and who may have limited access to an active state or national language association for support.

The Assyrian program team consists of three educators: Christine Yousif, Ramina Samuel and William Sargool. The program was first introduced and advocated for by the Assyrian community in Niles Township in 2015. After the Suraye parent group sent out a survey to the district on whether students and parents would want an Assyrian program and getting an overwhelmingly positive response, they first introduced the classes as a summer school course. This course was taught by Joann Yousif. After getting the class approved to be a summer school program, the community kept fighting to get it approved as an official course. Finally, in 2022, the District 219 School Board had its final vote, allowing the program to officially start during the 2023-2024 school year.

Not only is this program a way to introduce indigenous languages into public schooling, but it also provides a safe space for Assyrian students to embrace their culture.

Yousif, who teaches level one and two Assyrian courses, explains how this program allows Assyrian students to socialize and find community with other Assyrian students.

“I think the Assyrian students have felt more comfortable trying to speak [Assyrian]. Many students have told me that it has,” Yousif said. “It also gives them a space to connect with other Assyrian students, especially if they aren’t participating in Assyrian Club or any of the events they hold. The program gives them a place to see each other every day. I think that it creates an even tighter-knit community.”

The 2026 Languages for All Award not only solidified the importance of having the Assyrian courses but also allowed the Assyrian language and culture to gain more visibility. Sargool, who teaches Assyrian Heritage and level three courses, notes how the award not only validated the work that parents and educators who fought to get the program approved put in, but also solidified the importance of having an indigenous language taught in public schools.

“The recognition is really meaningful and very important,” Sargool said. “It not only validates the work, but it also helps bring visibility to the program and to the [Assyrian] language. It really encourages awareness and people to enroll in this course, and it really highlights the importance of indigenous languages, such as Assyrian.”

Educators and parents who advocated for this program are excited to continuously see how the program expands. The program will be getting an Assyrian four course for the first time in the 2026-27 school year.

Samuel is excited to see the program grow and further spread Assyrian culture to those who may be ignorant about it.

“The community has reacted positively to the program’s growth and the reward it is receiving,” Samuel said. “The community is still learning about the program and what it offers, as it is still new. It is important to continue to speak about and highlight this program when possible to raise awareness.”