CHICAGO (WLS) -- Friends of the Chicago River name Melitza Rodriguez as its "Educator of the Year."
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The Northwestern University graduate teaches at Louis Nettelhorst Elementary in the Lakeview neighborhood.
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Rodriguez participates in the Chicago River Schools Network Friends flagship education program. She often uses the Chicago River as a teaching tool to help students learn science, history and writing. Her kids have learned about Native Americans, the animal and plants that live in and along the river and more.