State Board, IEA and IFT to recognize more than 30 educators for their outstanding performance
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SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Board of Education, along with the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), Tuesday will honor 36 educators who were chosen as the best in their field of expertise during the 2012-13 school year by their respective professional education organizations. The educators, all of whom earned awards for their work teaching specific subjects, will be recognized during a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.
“These outstanding teachers have demonstrated their passion for teaching in a variety of curriculum arenas,†said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “They are tireless in their pursuit of finding ways to help ensure students are learning and succeeding. We are pleased to have the opportunity to extend our thanks and appreciation for their commitment to Illinois’ students and education.â€
Tuesday’s event will be the third annual Exemplary Teacher Recognition Award Luncheon hosted by the State Board and the two state teacher associations.
“The Illinois Education Association is always proud to help sponsor the Teacher Recognition Luncheon, a wonderful way to thank and acknowledge Illinois’ many outstanding educators,†said Cinda Klicka, President of IEA. “The award winners have shown exemplary teaching in each of their fields, and they remind us that great education is being delivered to our students every day in every school in Illinois.â€
Each fall, the ISBE names one teacher of the year and recognizes more than 150 educators nominated by their own district or members of their communities for outstanding service through the Those Who Excel program. High school English teacher Brian Curtin was named the 2013 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Curtin teaches at Schaumburg High School in Township High School District 211.
“All of these outstanding teachers are a prime example of the experts we have in classrooms all over the state,†said Dan Montgomery, President of IFT. “Those who can, teach and they do it well every day. We are proud to honor these distinguished teachers and thank them for their dedication to our children.â€
The following teachers will be recognized at Tuesday’s luncheon:
| Educator | Recognition | Organization | School |
| Hillary Andrlik | Illinois Elementary Art Educator of the Year |
Illinois Art Education Association |
Hinsdale-Clarendon Elementary District 181 |
| Joe Barker | VFW Teacher of the Year | Veterans of Foreign Wars | Lyons Township High School, LaGrange |
| Matthew Beck | GLSEN’s 2013 Educator of the Year | Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network | Erie ElementarySchool, Erie |
| Bryan Bergman | IAHPERD Young Professional Physical Education Teacher | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Lyons Township High School, LaGrange |
| Joshua Bill | History Teacher of the Year/National History Teacher of the Year | Gilder Lehrman Institute | Waukegan High School, Waukegan |
| Karen Brady-Popovich | Illinois High School Art Educator of the Year | Illinois Art Education Association | Metea Valley High School, Aurora |
| Michael Caines | Illinois Promising New Teacher of Mathematics | Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics | Walter Payton High School, Chicago |
| Helene Caliva | Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year | Illinois Council for Economic Education | Robert E Clow Elementary School, Naperville |
| Carol Cochran | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | Grigsby Middle School, Granite City |
| Kraig Conyer | IAHPERD Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Hinsdale South High School, Darien |
| Jason Dane | IAHPERD Health Education Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | New Trier High School, Winnetka |
| Dawn Davis | IAHPERD Secondary Health Educator of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Washington High School, Washington |
| Kerry DiFusco | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | White Eagle School, Naperville |
| Linda Egnatz | Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year | Illinois Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages | Lincoln-Way North High School, Frankfort |
| Carl Erbsen | Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year | Illinois Farm Bureau | Eastland Elementary School, Lanark |
| Patrick Fardy | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | South High School, Downers Grove |
| Kathleen Gienko | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | St. Bartholomew School, Chicago |
| Kimberly Greiwe | IAHPERD Dance Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Maine East High School, Park Ridge |
| Christopher Grodoski | Illinois Middle School Art Educator of the Year | Illinois Art Education Association | Franklin Middle School, Wheaton |
| Joshua Hess | IAHPERD Adventure Education Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Highland Park High School, Highland Park |
| Audrey Hill | IAHPERD Middle School Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Collinsville Middle School, Collinsville |
| Joan Kane | Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year | Illinois Council for Economic Education | Whitney Young Magnet High School, Chicago |
| Rebecca Kinnee | Outstanding General Education Teacher of the Year | Illinois Council for Exceptional Children | Libertyville High School, Libertyville |
| Lori Klein-Blazek | IAHPERD Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Jungman Elementary School, Chicago |
| Dave Kush | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | Homewood-Flossmoor High School |
| Kate Leckenby | IAHPERD Young Professional Elementary Teacher of the Year | Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance | Pleasant Ridge School, Glenview |
| Matt Maddox | National Veterans of Foreign Wars Teacher of the Year | Veterans of Foreign Wars | Columbus Elementary School, Edwardsville |
| Dave Meyer | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | Sycamore Middle School, Sycamore |
| Jerrine Roderique | T.E. Rine Secondary Mathematics Teacher of the Year |
Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics |
Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora |
| Karen Sassetti | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Council for Economic Education | Proviso West High School, Hillside |
| Brenden Schultz | Illinois Farm to School Teacher of the Year | National Farm to School Program | Pecatonica High School, Pecatonica |
| Anne Singleton | Outstanding General Education Teacher of the Year | Illinois Council for Exceptional Children | Libertyville High School, Libertyville |
| Mirsad Spahovic | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Association for Economic Education |
Theodore Roosevelt High School, Chicago |
| Alison Upton-Dunmore | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Association for Economic Education | South Elgin High School, South Elgin |
| Terry Vaughn | Star in the Classroom | Illinois Association for Economic Education |
Germantown Hills Middle School, Metamora |
