Thank You Teachers

After he served in the Air Force, Garret Lane knew what he wanted to do: “And that was to be an educator in some sense.”

Ciesla said the job of an instructional coach is not so much about teaching teachers as it is about working collaboratively with them.

Johnsburg Elementary School teacher Kara Lentine graduated from Judson University just two years ago, but brings new excitement and ideas to her classroom, her principal said.

Turning recyclables into carnival games, building robots, and making coffee creamer explode. These are some of the lessons Ally Egert, a teacher at Montini Catholic School in McHenry, uses to help her students learn concepts within her engineering and STEM classes.

“People underestimate what children their age can do on their own. They can come up with their own solutions,” Wheatley said, adding that the key is to give students the confidence to do so.

At an American Airlines hanger at O’Hare International Airport this spring, Amanda Henk’s students got to see up close what they’d been learning in their aerospace class.

It only takes walking into Janet Moritz’s classroom to see her approach come alive, with kids helping one another and cheering each other on, Verda Dierzen Principal Tricia Bogott said.

Kate Kramer said the best part of her job as a geology instructor at McHenry County College – where she was named 2023 Faculty Member of the Year – is her students who she strives to inspire to “make a positive difference in the world.”

Pat Frederick is retiring as a Geneva High School band director this year after 29 years with District 304.

Lisa Hatfield is Batavia Public School District 101's fifth grade band and orchestra teacher.

Wills began at Morris Community High School in 2007

York wrestling coach and teacher Nick Metcalf cherishes Metcalf molding young minds and pushing athletes to reach their potential. "One aspect of wrestling that I love is being able to watch young athletes grow, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually."

Glenbard East High School students are learning entrepreneurship under the guidance of teacher Don Prochillo.

Katie Valentino strives to help students learn about accountibilty and commitment.

Gariecia Rose recently was recognized as the 2023 Outstanding Early Career Educator by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Downers Grove North High School teacher Dawn Sprengel relies on technology tools to foster growth in the classroom.

Nazareth Academy's theater program director takes a final bow.

Henry Puffer Elementary School students look forward to time spent in the school's library.

St. Matthew Parish School teacher takes satisfaction in teaching basic skills to kindergarteners

Math specialist works to dispel students fear of math

Montini Catholic High School math teacher is up for any challenger her students present.

Downers Grove South High School dean encourages students to never stop learning.

Making school fun is the primary goal for Glen Ellyn teacher

Glenbard West teachers and coaches Kelly Hass and Paul Hass – also husband and wife – remain mainstays at the school and in the coaching ranks as they approach their 20-year wedding anniversary. “To do what you love with someone you love, what’s better than that?”

“Preschool is a very experimental time. We work on solving social problems,” Wheatley said. “The most important goal is to get everyone to be as independent as they can be.”

La Salle-Peru High School teacher Alexandra West shares her own life experiences, from her travels to her life experiences as a woman of color, to help students connect and share their own stories to better understand multicultural literature.

John Hladovcak can’t find a mechanic’s shop in Ottawa or Streator that doesn’t have at least one former student of his in its employ, a trend that continues as he shows Ottawa High School students the ins-and-outs of automotive repair.

Inside Laurel Copeland’s Little Spartans Early Learning Program classroom, play-based learning is a key function of daily curriculum for the preschool children, some as young as 3.

Marquette's Todd Hopkins credits the support of his wife, Katie, his family and the Crusaders fans with his teams' success.

The Streator High School English teacher and library media coordinator likes the idea of giving students something they can look forward to.

The kids at McKinley Elementary spent the month of March buzzing about their brackets, but very few of them were talking about the NCAA basketball tournaments taking place.

After retiring after 35 years teaching at La Salle-Peru High School in May 2021, Bill Booker has taken on a part time job teaching PE three days a week at Mendota Holy Cross

Sally Etzenbach, a speech-language pathologist at Northview Elementary, helps autism students with limited verbal communication find their voice.

As a student, she kept color-coded notes so, yes, Brittany Rynkewicz expects her students to be diligent. But the St. Bede English teacher also wants her kids to unlock their imagination and have fun.

Seneca High School science teacher Terry Maxwell leads in the classroom, on the football field and in advocating for nature with students.

Adrianne Espinoza-Zamora, a Mendota High School Spanish teacher, fulfilled her childhood dream to become a teacher.

“Once we get that relationship down, the learning part happens easily,” Marseilles Elementary kindergarten teacher Lindsey Johnson said. “This last year, I love coming in because I get so many hugs. I treat them just like family, like little people.”

Harding Grade School kindergarten teacher Amy Walsh’s career began 34 years ago in the late 1980s when perms and teased hair were popular. She plans to retire after this school year.

For Earlville teacher/coach Shannon Cook, patience has proven to be the key to success.

Kim Struck discovered her love of music in second grade, her music teacher Barbara Ewalt filled her classroom with a room with so much love and happiness that Struck immersed herself in all genres of music.

Jennifer Waldack is one of Mary Endres Elementary School's "finest teachers because of her relationship with kids,” the school's principal said. “When I see her teach, I feel like she’s been a teacher forever.”

Opinion: One of the most important responsibilities that our state and districts have is ensuring all students have great teachers to support their learning and development.

“The only thing you can expect as a school social worker is the unexpected,” Resendiz said.

Betsy Murray of New Lenox, a special education teacher at Joliet Central, High School, has spent two of her vacations serving special needs orphans in Uganda. In between her trips, Murray raises money for their orphanage.

With the help of amazing technology and a team of specialists, the 14-year-old eighth-grader at Reagan Middle School is doing normal things adapted to her significant disabilities.

After graduating from Coal City High School, Jeremy Unger obtained his teaching degree from the University of St. Francis in 2009, where he played tennis. After graduation, he returned to his hometown as a math teacher and tennis coach.

Betsy Cowherd never thought about being anything other than a teacher, even as a child.

Sampson changed his entire perspective and choose to go into education in the hopes of having the same lasting impact as his uncle.

Sister Debrah, who has been a beloved school teacher for 48 years, said she will retire from Immaculate Conception School at the end of the year.

What do disc golf and rubber chickens have to do with math? Students at Minooka Community High School know it’s all a part of teacher Jason Allen’s class.