A Maine South High School teacher who teaches Italian as part of the school’s world language curriculum has been recognized for her academic efforts, school district officials announced in a news release.

Cristina Modica – who is Italian and also teaches the language course at the Park Ridge high school – was selected by the American Association of Teachers of Italian to receive the organization’s “2024 Distinguished Service Award” in the K-12 category, according to the Maine Township High School District 207 release.