A total of nine individuals and one team from District 207 were honored as part of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year program this year. The program aims to recognize those who have made significant contributions to public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in Illinois.
There are three areas of recognition including awards of excellence, awards of meritorious service and awards of special recognition within seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers and teams.
The following District 207 staff members earned awards of excellence in their respective categories:
Maine West Counselor Eliades Hernandez (student support personnel)
Maine West Lead Security Guard Erik Lozano (educational service personnel)
Maine West Social Science Teacher Melissa Murray (classroom teacher)
Maine East Psychologist Ruth Shook-Orr (student support personnel)
Community volunteer Jessie Maag also won an award of excellence in the community volunteer category.
The following District 207 staff member earned an award of meritorious service:
Maine East English Teacher Emily DeLeon (early career educator category)
Additionally, the following District 207 staff members and team won awards of recognition in their respective categories:
Maine East Custodian Howye Hoare (educational service personnel)
Maine South Assistant Principal Student Supports Aimee Hoffman (school administrator)
Maine South Social Worker Leah Jackson (student support personnel)
School-Based Health Center Team which includes Amy Carlson, Dr. Nisha Haiku, Dr. Linda Vassmer, Tigelique Woods, Amaryllis Rivera, Raquel Temesvari and Jacqueline Cajigas-Cruz
The Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year program has been in place since 1970 and each year all awardees are honored at an annual banquet in the Spring.