Joliet Central teacher gets 2017 IACTE Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award

JOLIET – Joliet Central High School teacher Jennifer McGowan received one of the 2017 Outstanding Beginning Teacher Award presented by the Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

She was nominated by her preparation institute, Lewis University in Romeoville. McGowan graduated in May 2016. This is McGowan’s first year teaching.

Prior to this most recent award, McGowan had previously been awarded the College of Education Program Award for Undergraduate Secondary Education at Lewis University.

McGowan teaches world affairs, AP psychology and American government. In addition, she volunteered as a coach for the Joliet Central Varsity Dance team this year and hopes to continue to be involved with the dance teams at Joliet Central High School.

She was recognized, along with other outstanding beginning teachers from other institutions from around the state of Illinois, on March 28 at the IACTE’s Legislative Reception, which was held at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre’s Ambassador Ballroom in Springfield.