Teacher of the Year Nominees | Madison Communications

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 NOMINEES!

The list is in alphabetical order by school, then by the teacher's first name. Many teachers received more than one nomination. In some cases, we chose to reveal a summary of the nomination(s) they received. All nominees received a nomination certificate and a Teacher of the Year Cookie!

Teacher of the Year Nominees 2023

Alhambra Primary School- Alhambra, IL

Brenda Grigg – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Grigg is a wonderful compassionate teacher that is encouraging to her students. She has so many activities in class that keep the students engaged and interested in learning. These activities and skills they are learning are all things that they can use throughout the rest of their life. She is just an all-around amazing teacher that cares so deeply for her students. She deserves this award!

JoAnne Snyder – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Snyder creates a loving and nurturing classroom where students feel welcome and comfortable. She truly cares for each of her students and helps them grow academically, and socially.

Linda Stearns – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Stearns deserves this award because she is so respectful and a loving teacher. You can tell she truly cares about us!

Melissa Greco – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Greco has been a great teacher for my daughter this year! She has a learning style which teaches students that the choices they make can lead to their successes or their fallbacks. My daughter’s math and reading skills have skyrocketed thanks to Mrs. Greco’s patience and fun, learning style! Thank you!!!

Susan Kronk – Alhambra Primary School

She has helped my child gain confidence in herself as well as her academic skills! She deserves to be awarded as the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Ben-Gil Elementary School- Gillespie, IL

Alexandria Plovich – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Alex is constantly devoted to her students and her desire to ensure a fun creative and safe environment for all. Alex goes above and beyond to show her support for each and every one of her kids and tries so hard to have the best inclusive system in her classroom!

Allison McElroy – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Ms. Mac goes above and beyond for her kids! She loves her first graders to the moon and back. She spends hours preparing lessons that are meaningful and appropriate for her kiddos. She also spends a lot of her own money on supplies, books, and treats for her students. She is a loving supportive teacher that has the patience of a saint. We are so thankful to have a teacher like her at our School!

Becky Fritz – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Mrs. Fritz is such and amazing teacher. She truly cares and takes good care of her Kiddo’s! She has done wonders for our daughter and we can’t thank her enough for everything that she has done!

Cate Plovich – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Where to even begin. Cate has been in many different roles in her years at Ben-Gil! She’s always the first to step up and volunteer and never bats an eye when asked to do even more. She’s been a steady rock for many coworkers and administrators as well as most importantly for the students! Cates dedication to education is amazing to see and her desire to continue to learn and adopt to new methods of teaching to match children’s needs is outstanding! She’s the best!

Celia Jubelt – Ben-Gil Elementary School

This teacher is absolutely amazing with the kids, works super hard, and is extremely passionate in teaching all kids without judgement.

Darrick Orban – Ben-Gil Elementary School

It is my pleasure to nominate Mr. Orban, a remarkable 3rd-grade teacher who has made a significant difference in the life of one of his students. As a professional educator, Mr. Orban has consistently demonstrated his passion for teaching and inspiring young minds. He has always been dedicated to ensuring that each student receives a high-quality education and is well-prepared for their future. However, Mr. Orban’s exceptional qualities go beyond his academic expertise. He has a genuine concern for the well-being and success of his students, and he goes above and beyond to ensure that they feel valued and supported, both inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, I highly recommend Mr. Orban for the “Teacher of the Year” award. Mr. Orban embodies the qualities of an exceptional educator, and I am confident that he will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of his students for many years to come.

Jay Weber – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Coach/Mr. Weber is the kindest soul I have ever met. Although he is not a teacher of my children, he is their coach. Mr. Weber goes up and beyond his duties for the children. He is always going out of his way on his own time/dime to get the children active and involved. I cannot appreciate this teacher/coach enough! He is truly a great person inside and out! I couldn’t imagine a better role model for our children!

Jessi Luketich – Ben-Gil Elementary School

I am nominating Mrs. Luketich because she has helped my son so much this year! She is taking her time to tutor her students that need help after school or before school which I think is awesome! She gets ahold of me when there are problems with my sons reading or writing! She is just an AWESOME teacher and I love that she is willing to help her kids out as much as possible to learn the stuff they need to go into second grade!

Kara Saracco – Ben-Gil Elementary School

This woman has been a blessing to our family! She has helped my oldest son gain more confidence and come out of his shell. My son has a learning disability and is very hard on himself. Kara has helped my son improve so much that he is actually graduating out of his resource class BECAUSE OF KARA! She is the nicest, sweetest, caring teacher we have ever had! My son enjoys going to school because of Kara! My son believes in himself more because of Kara! They just don’t make them like her! She deserves this award more than anyone I’ve ever known!

Katie Lievers – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Mrs. Lievers always goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students. She is a fantastic teacher that deserves to be the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Kelly Lyons – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Ms. Lyons makes a difference in the lives of her students by teaching them to be respectful and to understand the importance of responsibility. She deserves this award!

Melissa Bussmann – Ben-Gil Elementary School

I am nominating Mrs. Bussmann because she genuinely wants each and every one of her students to succeed. She is always giving 110% and makes learning fun. Her classroom has a positive environment at all times. Mrs. Bussmann deserves this award because of all the hard work and dedication she puts in to her career. She strides to be the best teacher she can possibly be.

Mindy Savant – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Mindy is a phenomenal teacher. She gives her all every day, and the kids love school! I currently have foster children in her class and she is able to care for them and their trauma and make them feel good about themselves every day. We are so thankful to have her as a teacher.

Pete Visintin– Ben-Gil Elementary School

He shows kindness and patience with all his students. He keeps the class entertaining and fun while learning. He is also very organized and tries to teach that to the students as well which is an added bonus. The kids just love him.

Rachel Bethard – Ben-Gil Elementary School

My granddaughter came to live with me 3 years ago not knowing much of anything. She was very scared and placed in Mrs. Bethard’s special education class. She took her under her wing and relieved her fears first then dove into learning. 3 years later Natasha has excelled in 4 years’ worth of education and she is still trucking along with Mrs. Bethard’s assistance. Her communication is above par with the parents too!

Tracy Petersen – Ben-Gil Elementary School

She has served the school district for 30 years and has always been deserving of this. I have never met a more thoughtful person and teacher.

Vanessa Barrett – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Vanessa is always in the best mood and enjoys seeing her children walk into class each day. She always goes above and beyond for her kids and always with a smile on her face. Her job is her getaway from the outside world and she is always putting the children’s learning and happiness first. The kids love her and she is always willing to help them all, no matter the circumstances. She is truly a great teacher and is very patient and caring with the all.

Bethalto East Primary School- Bethalto, IL

Aimee Folmer – Bethalto East Primary School

I can see the work of this amazing teacher in my child nearly every day. The excitement in which he talks about school assures me her excitement matches his in the classroom! Mac was so apprehensive of school and her patience with him was above par. She has nurtured his confidence in the classroom perfectly and it is showing beautifully in him as he grows. This is a huge thank you to Ms. Aimee on behalf of my child and every child that luckily lands in her classroom!

Amanda Bartee – Bethalto East Primary School

We LOVE Mrs. Bartee! She goes above and beyond for her students. She is so sweet and she really cares about the kids. I wish every teacher could be like her!This is my mother. The dedication and hard work she does to help these students in needs is amazing. This woman deserves so much more recognize, but this is a way for me to show her that all of her hard work pays off.

Amy Heflin – Bethalto East Primary School

Amiyah W. Absolutely loves school! And she loves her teacher! So that speaks volumes to me because it starts with Mrs. Heflin and making Amiyah welcome in the middle of a school year! Thank you!

Ashley Beran – Bethalto East Primary School

I am nominating Mrs. Beran because she has been so wonderful in helping my daughter Ava grow into such a social butterfly. When Ava first started school, I was so nervous. She was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at 18 months old and was nonverbal for nearly 4 years. With the time, patience and genuine care of Mrs. Beran, Ava was able to overcome her social anxieties and graduated out of her speech and occupational therapy services. She helped create an IEP that worked specifically for my daughter and was in communication regularly in regards to her progress and concerns. Mrs. Beran is such a kind and caring teacher and her love for her students shows. She deserves recognition for her hard work and efforts to include all students and make each student feel as though they are important and they can succeed, even if it takes longer to achieve a goal. She has been such a blessing in my daughters’ academic achievements. I cannot say enough positive things about her.

Erica Harper – Bethalto East Primary School

Mrs. Harper is so kind, patient, and caring. She is always thinking of her students and how she can help each one of them grow and progress. My son loves having her as a teacher and we couldn’t be happier with having her for him. We all adore her!

Jenny Brefeld – Bethalto East Primary School

Mrs. Brefeld has been a blessing for my daughter. She’s kind and thoughtful with the kids and always keeps me informed with things going on in class or school. She’s always giving them incentives to earn with good behavior. My daughter always talks about the way Mrs. Brefeld encourages her and compliments her when she does well and it makes her want to work even harder. My daughter hated Christmas break because she had to go so long without seeing Mrs. Brefeld. She 100% goes above and beyond her for kids.

Monica Barrows – Bethalto East Primary School

She goes above and beyond for the children in her classroom and she has been a wonderful teacher to our son. He has learned so much in such a short period of time and always has the nicest things to say about her!

Skylar King – Bethalto East Primary School

Skylar cares so much for each of the kids in her SPED Pre-K classes. My daughter has grown so much while in her class and absolutely loves Ms. Skylar! It takes a very special person to work with students with disabilities and the amount of love she has for these kiddos is amazing.

Bunker Hill High School- Bunker Hill, IL

Amy Roller – Bunker Hill High School

Mrs. Roller is my College Prep English Teacher, and she is one of the best out there. She fills her classroom with jokes and fun along with a whole lot of learning. She makes learning about poems much more interesting than ever before and easier to understand. She is my favorite teacher by far and definitely deserves this award!

Craig Marshall – Bunker Hill High School

He cares for his students and is always willing to take the extra step to ensure his students are understanding the material. He deserves to be Teacher of the Year!

Cynthia Albrecht-Tipler – Bunker Hill High School

Mrs. Albrecht-Tipler has always been a teacher with an open-door policy. Whether before or after school, students can depend upon her to provide extra help when needed. During class, she often challenges students with higher level questions and stresses the importance of thinking critically. Thank you, Mrs. Albrecht-Tipler, for the teacher that you are!

Judy Rothermich – Bunker Hill High School

She has been there for me since day one. I have known her since I was really little in elementary trying to learn around my dyslexia. I really struggled, but she was always there for me. She has been helping me with missing assignments and keeping my grades up in class. She helps with drama and some mental health aspects. I love working with her in my algebra class. She helps a lot of students with reading and how to write. I really appreciate her.

Megan Eschbach– Bunker Hill High School

At the high school level, it takes a special teacher to make connections with the teenage students. Mrs. Eschbach does that and more. Students who have her feel welcomed, loved, appreciated and cared about. Building those relationships are crucial especially at the high school age. The high level of learning taking place in her classroom also creates a successful environment for the students. She is very much deserving of this award.

Rebecca Wilkinson – Bunker Hill High School

Mrs. Wilkinson treats all students like family. She allows students the day to rest when she realizes they’ve been working so hard, even including random nap days. She puts the kids she teaches first and herself last. She respects them even without respect in return. She teaches what will be used for the rest of our lives and makes sure we understand it fully so we aren’t thrown into the world lost.

Suzanne Spickerman – Bunker Hill High School

Mrs. Spickerman goes above and beyond for her students and her community. She bends over backwards to make sure her students have the resources they need to succeed in the real world. She also goes out of her way to check on her students. Along the way she treats her students, she also hosts the high school prom, homecoming, student council, secret Santa, plus many more activities. Bunker Hill is very lucky to have her as our research teacher!

Theresa Dissen – Bunker Hill High School

There are not enough words to express the reasons for this nomination. Mrs. Dissen is a perfect candidate for Teacher of the Year! The love and care she gives to every student at Bunker Hill High School is top notch. The impact she makes is something beyond amazing and is a true life saver for so many. That doesn’t stop once those students leave either. She continually supports them beyond while always checking in with them and expressing how proud she is of them. She is truly an amazing asset to Bunker Hill.

Civic Memorial High School- Bethalto, IL

Angela Parish – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Parish is more than just a teacher, she is a friend. She has not only been my PE teacher but my medical occupations teacher. I had her 1st hour this year for Med Occ and I wouldn’t have wanted to start the day any other way. She welcomed all of her students with a smile, good morning, and even a hug if they wanted. She is one of the kindest souls I have ever met and it is a gift to have her in our school. Along with being a great person, she is a great teacher. This past year she wanted to expose her students to more possibilities so she booked a field trip to SLU where we learned about different occupations in the medical field along with what schooling those occupations needed. If anyone deserves this award it’s Mrs. Parish!!

Angela Wood – Civic Memorial High School

She is a very good teacher that cares about her students and makes learning very fun! She deserves this award more than anyone!

Angie Neilson – Civic Memorial High School

This teacher makes sure her students are having a good day by checking up on them and making classes fun each and every day. She deserves this award more than anyone!

Baylee Ridings – Civic Memorial High School

Baylee is a first-year teacher that does an amazing job at helping and teaching her students more than just English. She is overall a great person that is very deserving of this award!

Bradley Phillips – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Mr. Phillips for the Teacher of the Year because he always helps his students learn the lesson he is teaching. He also likes to keep the classroom atmosphere fun by telling funny Fortnite jokes. He deserves this award!

Brett Kalker – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Kalker had stood out the most to me in my first year of high school. He always advocates for what’s right and what’s fair. He is our tech director for our productions here at CMHS and he does an awesome job! He teaches so many different classes and does so many things outside of school that I really would like to honor him for being so dedicated to our school! He deserves this award!

Brianne Jakes – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Mrs. Jakes because she is the most selfless and kind hearted person that has changed the way I’ve known English for the better. In her class she is very kind and helpful to all students, making them feel included and confident. She always notices when one is struggling and does everything in her power to change that. Her teaching style is fun and is done in a way to make sure that we understand the concept she is teaching and even take something important away from each lesson. She also always makes sure everyone always has a smile on their face when they come to class. She deserves this award!!

Charles Baldwin – Civic Memorial High School

He is the best teacher that is always happy to help and is very understanding with his students. He makes learning fun and especially makes learning History fun! He deserves this award more than anyone!

Charlie Brown – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Brown is my daughter’s foods teacher and he’s truly made a significant impact on her life. For starters, the coursework in his class changed all of our lives as my daughter is now loving to cook and doing it for the entire family on a regular basis. But more importantly, he’s pushed my daughter to be the best version of herself. He’s instilled passion into my daughter. He’s showed her that learning can be meaningful AND fun. He is a teacher she will NEVER forget!

Chloe Thomure – Civic Memorial High School

She is a great teacher that cares about her students so much. She goes above and beyond to make learning fun and to make sure that we all understand the lessons that she is teaching. She deserves to be the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Christiann Wiest – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Mrs. Wiest because of her courtesy and compassion that she shows toward her students. She is the most understanding person that I know and would do anything for her students. She would, any day, push back an assignment for me if I forgot or if I am just overwhelmed. Me, as well as all of my classmates, can honestly tell that Mrs. Wiest loves her job. I wouldn’t want any other lady as my psychology and English teacher.

Christine Wright – Civic Memorial High School

She comes to work every day and is willing to help students, teachers, and peers with anything that they need! She is an overall amazing person and I am so lucky to have her as my teacher. She deserves this award!

Christopher Williams – Civic Memorial High School

He is nice and very helpful when we need anything. I always come out of his class feeling like I learned something new. He deserves this award more than any other teacher!

Clinton Walters – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Mr. Walters because he is the best teacher in our school. He is very helpful and makes learning so much fun! He deserves this award!

Dolores Smith – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Smith is very sweet and loving to her students. She tries her best to help her students understand what she is teaching. She provides this type of care that is special to each student. She is the best teacher I’ve ever.

Halstead Selby – Civic Memorial High School

He is an overall awesome teacher that is always positive and focusing on helping people who need the help. He deserves this award because he is always going above and beyond for his students!

Heather Wallace – Civic Memorial High School

She is so nice to everyone and makes learning a lot easier for everyone. I couldn’t ask for a better teacher to help us all in class when we need help. She deserves to be the Teacher of the Year!

Jacklyn Olney – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Olney is very sweet and a great teacher. She knows what she’s doing and helps out when you need it. She amazes me when she gets all of her work done and stays calm when students are acting up. She makes all of the lessons very easy to catch on to, but also gives us a challenge to keep learning. She pushes us to study for all of our tests and to give our best effort on our homework. She doesn’t ever give up on any student and will ask them if they need her help. She is overall a great teacher and an even better person!

Jacob Carlson – Civic Memorial High School

I would like to nominate Mr. Jacob Carlson. Mr. Carlson is not only a trustworthy teacher but also a great role model. Mr. Carlson is very compassionate towards his career and students and it is greatly recognized. He also displays respect towards his students as he is very rewarded when students may achieve a special goal. He is a great listener as well whether a student or even another staff member is explaining a serious issue or telling a humorous story. Mr. Carlson is very responsible with putting grades/assignments into the grade book fast and accurately. He also always has a smile on his face even on hard days and he does not allow his emotions to get the better of him. This is why I believe Mr. Jacob Carlson deserves the Madison Communications Teacher of the Year Award.

Jacob Peal – Civic Memorial High School

I’m nominating Mr. Peal because he is a man of many. He is a teacher, A friend, A coach, and a role model. Peal is the head coach of Track and Field, and is also the Cross-Country coach. He makes sure that every student around him at school or at the sporting events is healthy and safe. Peal helps students in the classroom as he is the health teacher and is also a P.E. teacher. He loves to help students push past their limits in a safe way. As we work on the track, he helps us to get faster and train for the different spots that we do. Although this is freshman year, I am very excited for the rest of my high-school sports career with Peal as my coach.

Jeremy Christenson – Civic Memorial High School

He deserves this nomination because he is all around great person and teacher that goes above and beyond for his students! I hope he is the next Teacher of the Year!

Joan Dougherty – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Joanne Dougherty because she has answered my most difficult English questions like, “How do you plan on getting a job?”. She has also been extremely helpful to me whenever something is too hard to do. Mrs. Dougherty has overall been the best English teacher I’ve ever had.

Laura Retzer – Civic Memorial High School & Trimpe Middle School

She is one of our bus drivers and she totally makes my day. She’s always in a very good mood when I greet her and shows appreciation for me and her students. I feel like she deserves to have this award as she totally rocks for our school and community.

McKenzie Sutton – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Sutton is great at teaching English and is such a fun teacher! She always lends an ear when any student needs to talk to her. She deserves this award more than anyone else!

Michaela Davis – Civic Memorial High School & Wilbur Trimpe

Ms. Davis is kind, understanding, and polite to her students. She is very skilled at keeping us entertained and under control. She is like a mother to her students and accepts nothing than your best. She teaches us valuable life lessons, while also teaching us new ways to improve upon playing our instruments. She finds a way to make learning fun is always willing to give extra help to any student. Overall, Ms. Davis is an amazing person and teacher.

Philip Schneider – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Schneider is an awesome teacher that truly cares about his students! He goes above and beyond in everything that he does. He deserves to be the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Rachael Varland – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Ms. Varland because of everything she does for all of her students. Since I started school back at the Bethalto school district, Varland has helped me through so much and has always been a support system whenever I needed anything. She has always been a teacher that I can go to for help with academics as well. I have heard nothing but positive things about her and her teaching style. Lastly, she is one of the only math teachers that have changed their way of teaching to help me understand better and grow in that aspect of academics.

Renee Reznack – Civic Memorial High School

She helps the students in her class and is always there to help anyone when they need anything. She deserves to be the Teacher of the Year because she is always going above and beyond in all that she does!

Shawn Callies – Civic Memorial High School

He is an amazing teacher, who takes the time to connect with and understand each student that walks into his room. He is extremely welcoming and seems to love his job. His class is always a breath of fresh air in a day full of other stressful classes. I genuinely enjoy his class and believe he deserves this.

Shelby Norris – Civic Memorial High School

Shelby is a very caring person! I am so glad to have a teacher like her that is there for everyone. She can help any student overcome anything that is in their way and you can tell she truly cares about every student. Shelby is one of the best role models in the Bethalto School District and I know that everyone looks up to her. She deserves to be the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Veronica Rice – Civic Memorial High School & Wilbur Trimpe

Mrs. Rice is always so nice to her students and encourages them to be the best that they can be at all times. She never lets anyone give up on their dreams and is also a great person to go to when you need to talk to someone. She always makes me feel better and lets me prepare myself for the rest of the day. She makes every day a bit more interesting and helps me embrace my love of music even more. Mrs. Rice is also a great Co-Director for our musical and deserves to be named the Teacher of the Year!

Edwardsville High School - Edwardsville, IL

Nicole Pontious – Edwardsville High School

Nicole is an English teacher at EHS, but does so much more than just teach. She spends time to get to know her students on a personal level and makes sure she is available to be there when they need support. Nicole is a co-sponsor of our podcast club, and has spent a great deal of time working with students to develop the skills they need to handle all aspects of this job from how to conduct an interview to how to edit that interview so it is ready to be uploaded. Nicole has also taken on the role as one of our educational leaders as the district implements Professional Learning Communities. This program is time set aside for teachers to work together to improve instruction for our students. This is time consuming and for some, a very difficult process as it is a different approach than we have ever taken in the past. She works closely with a team to develop plans for teachers to use during these weekly meetings to help them stay focused and positive. She avails herself to any department or individual that needs support, and all along she is teaching her full load of classes and working with her PLC teams.

Noah Jacobs – Edwardsville High School

I have 4 children in this school district, of which 2 have graduated. I have been through many many teachers. I hold teachers highly and I could never do what they do. Every now and then you meet someone that is just a godsend. Mr. Jacobs has been that to my family. I have told him how much I appreciate him and all he has done to make the transition from middle school to high school easier for my daughter. (And our family). He has been along with her last year, and checks on her this year. I am confident he will see her graduate. Mr. Jacobs has been teaching for only a few years. This teacher deserves a raise and many awards. I usually do not comment on the nominations but with the world we live in now, we need to build each other up!

Sairee Knabe – Edwardsville High School

Sairee is one of those teachers that is loving and caring towards all of her students. She takes time to relate to their lives and accepts all lifestyles with grace and understanding. She works diligently to be a professional and constantly updates her curriculum to better her subject material. In essence she is a five star teacher that knows no limits when helping her kids achieve.

Gillespie High School- Gillespie, IL

Dalton Barnes – Gillespie High School

He’s an amazing teacher that makes learning fun and easy. He understands that sometimes people need a break and makes sure that his students are comfortable in their environment. He also spreads positivity through the school every day. He inspires his student athletes not only on the field but also in the classroom.

Korben Clark – Gillespie High School

He truly goes above and beyond with his students. You can tell he loves his job! He deserves to be awarded the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Michelle Smith – Gillespie High School

Mrs. Smith is constantly pouring into every student who walks into her classroom, or out onto the field. She puts her heart and soul into the growth of students with education, athletics, and just emotional well-being. I was blessed to have her as a teacher and coach. She is someone I look up too and love dearly.

Zach Simon – Gillespie High School

Mr. Simon has been an amazing band teacher for all six years that I have been in band. He is very organized, driven, and passionate about what he does, and he has made us all better musicians.

Gillespie Middle School- Gillespie, IL

Chase Peterson – Gillespie Middle School

The reason I nominated Mr. Peterson is because he is an amazing teacher. He’s always positive and never gives up. I really enjoy having him as my teacher!! He always helps me when I don’t understand. He knows how to stay on focus and teach us, but he also understands that we have fun times. That is my reason I nominated Mr. Peterson.

Ella May Roemer – Gillespie Middle School

She is always so helping with everything and caring towards her students. She goes above and beyond and deserves this award more than anyone!

Jacob West – Gillespie Middle School

He is a very kind teacher that truly cares about the lessons he teaches and his students. He deserves to be named the Teacher of the Year!

Jarrod Herron – Gillespie Middle School

Mr. Herron is a fun teacher who helps you extra with homework or on part of the lesson if you do not understand it. Mr. Herron lets us play fun science related games sometimes to let us better understand the lesson and says jokes here and there. Mr. Herron is a teacher who should be recognized for his hard work here at Gillespie Middle School.

Jessica Kelly – Gillespie Middle School

She is the best teacher that any of us could ever ask for! She is always there to help and lends a hand anytime we need her. She deserves this award!

Judy Melchert – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating Mrs. Melchert because she is so fun to be around. I think of her like my best friend but in teacher form. She is the best!

Kim Henderson – Gillespie Middle School

She is super helpful and a very cool teacher that should be nominated for this award! She sometimes gives us donuts and lets us choose what type she gets from her donut shop! She is overall the best teacher out there!

Kyle Lamore – Gillespie Middle School

He is such a funny teacher that always spreads positivity to his students. He deserves this award!

Matt Brawner – Gillespie Middle School

A good teacher who listens and tries to help his students the best he of his ability. He always manages to make the class laugh in different ways along with bringing in different subjects or ideas to motivate students. He never makes anything too hard, making it the best for his students to understand, even giving rewards sometimes.

Michelle Bertetto – Gillespie Middle School

Mrs. Bertetto is one of the best teachers I have ever had. She is so respectful and caring to all of her students. She deserves to be named Teacher of the Year!

Nate Henrichs – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating Mr. Henrichs because he lets us eat in study hall and he is a really fun teacher. You can tell he really cares about us and loves his job. He truly should be awarded the Teacher of the Year!

Rachelle Prough – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating Mrs. Prough because she is an amazing teacher. She also helps out other students when a person is stuck with a question, or doesn’t understand what the word means. She is the best!

Shanna Connor – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating this teacher because she is the kindest teacher I have ever met in school. She is extremely nice to me and my classmates and communicates very well with us. She is very sympathetic, and she is like a friend to me. Mrs. Connor understands me and my friend’s sense of humor and gets along with us well. Starting on her teaching, she explains things in fairly simple terms. She even has a daily agenda so that we know what to expect from class that day, and so we don’t get overwhelmed. She is very sweet and very happy all the time. I respect her very much and I am going to miss her whenever I graduate from middle school. She has made 8th grade feel amazing and make it worth passing. Simply just having her as a teacher makes me feel happy.

Stephanie Wilson – Gillespie Middle School

She is kind, patient, helpful, caring, and overall, a great role model for all of her students. She deserves this award and more!

Tammy Garde Laboray – Gillespie Middle School

She is very kind and loving towards her students. You can tell that she really enjoys teaching and it shines through by watching her students succeed. She is truly the best out there!

Hamel Elementary School- Hamel, IL

Amy Nunn – Hamel Elementary School

Mrs. Nunn is an outstanding 1st Grade teacher at Hamel Elementary School. We are lucky to have her teach our son this year. Mrs. Nunn goes above and beyond to get to know her students. She truly cares about them and their personal lives as well. My son got to know Mrs. Nunn last year, when he was in Kindergarten. He specifically loved when she would come by during his lunch time, sit down by him, and get to know him; even though he wasn’t in her class. He was placed in Mrs. Nunn’s class this year and she has truly been the perfect fit for him. He has shown such growth across all academics – reading, writing, spelling, math, and so on. It blows our minds at how well he learns and retains information taught by Mrs. Nunn. He will come home telling us about different facts, and we will ask him where and how he learned that information (true information). He will always tell us how he learned it at school from Mrs. Nunn. He also had some difficulty in January due to academics (math) being too easy for him. Mrs. Nunn worked hard to make sure that she was challenging him (i.e., enrichment). Overall, Mrs. Nunn is an outstanding teacher that will help any student in any way that she can.

Anna Windings – Hamel Elementary School

Mrs. Windings is extremely kind and patient, and I have seen more growth this year with my son than any previous year in school. She gives him confidence and guidance that is unmatched! We love her!

Jennifer Davin – Hamel Elementary School

Mrs. Davin has a wonderful, engaging way of teaching my son & all of her students. She has opened up new ways of learning for him & helped to create confidence in him. She is a great communicator & incredibly kind. Her warmth, positivity, and Can-Do attitude have made a miraculous difference in the last 3 quarters. She truly is a teacher that inspires and motivates her students. We feel so lucky to have our son in her 2nd grade class!

Lee Horan – Hamel Elementary School

Mrs. Horan teaches kindergarten. This teacher goes above and beyond. She is all about positive learning and making school and learning fun which is crucial for Kindergartners and sets them up for a successful future. She creates an environment not of “work” or “homework” but of a fun learning environment which it turn makes learning fun for the kids their first year, teaching them confidence and skills needed to succeed. She creates an environment and class culture not as a chore or something they have to do but help them love to learn making it something they actually want to do. She knows her students well and truly cares about them and their academic careers not just in her class but setting them up for success in the future by creating a love of learning and a fun yet structured environment while doing so! You can tell she truly loves her career and is beyond passionate about making learning a passion for all her students. The one thing that really sets her apart is that she truly wants to make teaching and learning not just fun but she continually stays connected, improving and growing, and loves learning herself for not just the betterment of her own class or the district but schooling and teaching as a whole.

Head Start Illinois Valley/South Macoupin- Benld, IL

Kaylee Carr – Head Start Illinois Valley

She has been amazing during her first-year teaching at head start! My daughter really enjoys her and is excited to be at school!

Stacy Jarman – Head Start Illinois Valley

I can’t think of a better teacher who deserves this award more than Stacy. She is an amazing person and teacher.

Tina Fries – Head Start Illinois Valley

She’s the best teacher anyone can ask for. She cares about the child in her class and wants the best for them. She deserves to be awarded as the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Highland High School- Highland, IL

Natalie Ott – Highland High School

She is an amazing teacher that cares so much for her students. She truly brings positivity to the school and we are all lucky to have her!

Susanne Himsel – Highland High School

Mrs. Himsel was my senior year English teacher. Although senior year is arguably the most stressful year of school, Mrs. Himsel went out of her way every day to relate and communicate effectively with each of her students. She makes each student feel a sense of belonging in her classroom, and goes out of her way to help each student meet their highest potential.

Highland Middle School- Highland, IL

Ann Kleinmann – Highland Middle School

Mrs. Kleinmann is one very special teacher to our family; she has gone above and beyond to help our family when my daughter was told she had to be in a back brace for her scoliosis. From the moment we let the school know that this was going to an obstacle for Macey, Mrs. Kleinmann was in touch with us asking if she can do anything and to please let her know what she can do to make Macey’s new life with a brace as easy as it can be during the school days. She gives me updates on Macey during the day if she is struggling and has said that I can text her anytime if I would like to know about Macey during the day. The amount of stress this has taken off me as a mom is immeasurable. She is just one fantastic teacher/person and we think she should be nominated!!!! I would love to see the recognition that she deserves!!

Chris Hartlieb – Highland Middle School

Mr. Hartlieb has made learning fun for his students. He is engaging and gets them excited about learning. He takes the 8th grade to Washington DC every year and sets high expectations for his students. He is always available when they need him and my son has learned a lot from him.

Courtney Sellers – Highland Middle School

Mrs. Sellers is always looking out for her students. She does everything she can to make sure that everybody is included and that everybody succeeds. She offers additional support if students need and will do whatever she can to make her class enjoyable. All of her projects are unique and all of the skills you learn build on each other. She is also willing to offer ways to make a project more challenging for some of her students. Mrs. Sellers sees the best in each student and cares about each and every kid. Her classroom is a haven for all, many students come to her room for solace during the day and she never turns them away. Her heart for kids is unmatched.

Heather Athmer – Highland Middle School

Mrs. Athmer is one of the best teachers out there. She is willing to give up her time to help out her students. If a question on a test or quiz is unfair, she takes it out. She also makes sure that her students know exactly what to study. Mrs. Athmer teaches her students how to take excellent notes and how to make great study tools. She uses an interactive notebook so everything you need to study is in one place. She also creates incredible relationships with each of her students. She is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had and has motivated countless kids.

Mecala Scholl – Highland Middle School

Mrs. Scholl has made a great impact on my son’s education. We transferred into the Highland School District this year and he loves Science class! The way Mrs. Scholl teaches the kids is amazing!

Randy Gindler – Highland Middle School

Mr. Gindler is an AWESOME music teacher! He has a great taste in music and has touched on a wide variety of music genres in class. He has also helped me to understand music way more. He deserves this award!

Highland Primary School- Highland, IL

Angela Smart – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Smart has been such a great teacher this year for my son. She is very patient and kind. We appreciate her very much. Her sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed. I love that she truly loves her students. She has made a huge impact in so many lives. I truly admire what she does.

Belinda Counts – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Counts is very kind, patient, and makes learning fun each day. Everyone I’ve met that knows Mrs. Counts agrees she is wonderful with the primary kids. She deserves to be the Teacher of the Year!

Cheryl Barr – Highland Primary School

Ms. Cheryl Barr is a special education teacher at Highland Primary. It is very easy to tell how much she cares about her students and wants them to succeed. She embraces that each of her students are different and have different needs. She understands what they are truly capable of and pushes them while showing them a world of support. Not only does she support her students but also her students’ parents. She has eliminated the anxiety of education for both parents and students, making each day very enjoyable for her students.

Cindy Geest – Highland Primary School

Cindy Geest absolutely goes above and beyond to make learning fun and impactful for her students. She challenges her class in all the right ways and teaches them lessons about life, as well, not just academics. After a few weeks of school, she personally called each parent to check in to see how the children were doing and if there was anything she could do to help make it a good year. I am always amazed at her ability to make sure the kids are having fun but also having total control over the class. I loved her idea at Christmas to have the kids write a letter to one of their classmates for the Christmas exchange. It didn’t cost anyone anything and the kids loved getting a nice letter about them from their classmate. She is definitely one of the best teachers out there.

Danette Daiber – Highland Primary School

I am nominating Mrs. Daiber as she has made a huge impression on my son. She has made sure during her time with him that she gives him the extra push he needs to achieve his goals. Mrs. Daiber has taken the extra steps needed to make sure each one of her children feel special and that they are worth their weight in gold. My son has benefitted from being in her class because she has helped him find his confidence.

Heather Drazen – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Drazen is such a wonderful teacher that makes all of her students love coming to school. My son was upset when there was a snow day because he wanted to be at school. She definitely cares about her students and it shows through her teaching. What a wonderful teacher that deserves this award!

Heather Luitjohan – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Luitjohan cares and watches out for students. She truly goes above and beyond in her role! She deserves this award more than anyone!

Jen Koenig – Highland Primary School

I am the parent of a sweet, nonverbal, and autistic girl, an angel of a child. Her situation when first starting school was rocky to say the least. Once they found Ms. Koenig during Covid, we realized that she would engage our girl how she needed to be. Comfort, confidence, competence, understanding, passion, among many other wonderful feelings were what we were bombarded with as we met her and as time goes on. You meet people in life that just fit the task perfectly, that’s Ms. Koenig. I know when any parent leaves their child with her that they feel they are happy, safe, and on the best path to progress. If we could bring Ms. Koenig with us through all grade levels, we would in a heartbeat. She has given us hope, confidence, and showed us that we can enjoy this part of life just like other parents. We will forever be grateful for her!

Josie Carman – Highland Primary School

Josie greets her students with a smile each day and genuinely cares for each child! She is patient with the kids and takes time to learn about each one. She has continued her education to better herself personally and as a teacher. I consider myself and my kids very lucky to have had her as a teacher and friend!

Katie Kellerstrass – Highland Primary School

Ms. Kellerstrass has made an unbelievable impact on several students lives. She makes learning fun and teaches the lessons in a way the students enjoy. She also takes the time to truly understand her students. She understands that each child is different and embraces them for their uniqueness. She is overall the best teacher that deserves this award hands down!

Kendall Detweiler – Highland Primary School

She was my 3^rd grade teacher and was really nice! She made class fun and went out of her way to watch my sports! She took an interest in what I liked to do and what books I liked to read. That is why I am nominating Mrs. Detweiler!

Krista Mehrtens – Highland Primary School

I am nominating Mrs. Mehrtens for her passion in the classroom and dedication to her students. Mrs. Mehrtens builds a love for learning in her students that lasts a lifetime. She pushes them to strive for their best by giving them the guidance and support they need. Mrs. Mehrtens is always looking for the best ways to help her students grow and thrive and be able to carry that on in their education. I’m so thankful for her drive to create life-long learners and build the confidence that so many children are lacking. She teaches them how to deal with life’s challenges and how to cope with the hard things that come their way. Mrs. Mehrtens has the ability to make the ordinary extraordinary and is always finding creative ways to engage all learners. Mrs. Mehrtens has set the standard for teachers and what it truly means to be an educator!

Kristin Potthast – Highland Primary School

I am nominating Mrs. Potthast because she has been so understanding and helpful with her students this year as they have been sick. She keeps the students updated on anything going on throughout the day that they are missing. I have never had a teacher go so above and beyond the way she has! It is always hard to send your child to school when they are upset, but she has even sent messages with pictures and even made phone calls to reassure that he is doing great once he arrives to her class. She has numerous children in her class and she still takes the extra time to make sure her students health and wellbeing are taken care of, which makes any parents day less stressful! She deserves to be nominated for this achievement for her making the extra effort each and every day. I know all of the parents are very grateful that their students have her as their teacher!

Kyndal Mendenhall – Highland Primary School

Miss Mendenhall shows her students compassion and encouragement every day. She makes sure that they all feel comfortable in the classroom. Miss Mendenhall reaches out when she notices behavior or attitude changes in her students and works with the parents on what may be causing those changes. She has proven over and over that she is passionate about her students mental and emotional health as much as what they are learning. She is absolutely nothing short of one of the most amazing people that I have ever met. She deserves to be the 2023 Teacher of the Year!

Leslie Chapman – Highland Primary School

Leslie is a dedicated professional who seeks to understand each student and “meet them where they are”. This can be a daunting job in a class of 25 students! It’s obvious she “knows” each student, and tries to figure out how to bring out the best in them. Leslie communicates expectations well, and manages her classroom of friends in an equitable and calm way. Leslie succeeds at staying knowledgeable regarding educational technology, and utilizing technology to challenge and engage students. She will implement “extra” projects, like “Balloons Over Broadway” to engage families and their student. Highland Primary is lucky to have Leslie Chapman!

Lynn Wilke – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Wilke goes above and beyond for all students and makes them feel very welcome in her classroom. She makes it a point to get to know each student on a personal level to learn what they enjoy doing in and out of school. She then incorporates their interests into her learning process. You can tell her students are happy in her class and you can tell the love she has for the kids she is teaching. She is very deserving of this award!

Michelle Ficker – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Ficker is a loving and caring person that gets the kids excited about learning. She is always finding ways to keep them engaged. She helps any student that is struggling with reading to get on track and puts them into extra programs that will help them advance. In a mother’s perspective I couldn’t have asked for a better person to teach and take care of my child all day!

Morgan Pittman – Highland Primary School

I am nominating Mrs. Pittman because we just love her so much! She has the kindest heart and sweetest personality. She goes above and beyond for her students, and treats them like she does her own children. My son wakes up every morning so excited to see Mrs. Pittman and that makes my momma heart so happy!

Nicole Zuccarelli – Highland Primary School

Miss Zuccarelli is one of the best teachers I have ever met. You can tell she truly loves her job and strives to be better every day with her glowing presence she provides the students. She is creative and dives into so many fun projects with her students that she also involves the families with at times. That makes for great communication between her and the families. She also gives each student their own personal attention and truly cares for each of them. Every parent would be lucky to have Miss Zuccarelli as their child’s teacher! She is very deserving of this award!

Paige Terschluse – Highland Primary School

Miss Terschluse is an amazing teacher! She has helped make my daughters transition to Highland School District a positive one. She is always willing to work with my daughter and I if we have any concerns. You can genuinely tell how much she enjoys and cares for each kid that is in her class.

Patti Townsend – Highland Primary School

No words truly describe how amazing Ms. Townsend is. Her heart is made for not only Teaching but 100% for Kindergarten. Patti sees the beauty and soul of every one of her kiddos. She fosters, develops, and encourages each one of her students daily! Some may look at her class as a challenging class, but not Patti! She will tell you over and over how amazing her class is and how many different and awesome personalities there are. She is also very patient and communicates so well with the parents. Patti has such a heart and personality that makes her stand out as Teacher of the Year!

Sarah Woods – Highland Primary School

Both of my kids have been lucky enough to have Mrs. woods. She is so caring and gives the kids the confidence to learn in big ways. She is very deserving of this award!

Susan Mortland – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Mortland has been a huge help to my son. Helping him overcome social and learning obstacles. I’ve been able to volunteer on her room multiple times this year and she is always so kind and engaging with the students. She truly makes their days so much better.

Taryn Benson – Highland Primary School

I have a different learner and Mrs. Benson got my child from a pre-k reading level to a kindergarten level during her Reading Recovery session. We are still taking additional interventions but the kindness and patience that Mrs. Benson showed my child was how my child gained the confidence they needed to progress. She is very deserving of this award!

Terri Thies – Highland Primary School

Mrs. Thies has the unique ability to make children love to learn. Her unique way of engaging students has them loving every second of her math class. Mrs. Thies challenges students minds and also gives the support they need to be successful academically! Mrs. Thies has an incredible way of making learning fun and getting her students to enjoy math. She has built life-long learners!

Leclaire Elementary School- Edwardsville, IL

Jaycee Rodgers – Leclaire Elementary School

Mrs. Rodgers joined the K-2 program at Leclaire this year, and has handled it all so well! She has great communication with the parents, and always is looking out for what is best for our children. I know working with children who are neuro-diverse, and sometimes non-verbal isn’t easy, but she is excellent at it, and we’re so appreciative!

Jessie Buehnerkemper – Leclaire Elementary School

Jessie Buehnerkemper teaches kindergarten at Leclaire Elementary School in Edwardsville. This is Jessie’s second year teaching kindergarten and previously taught third grade for 14 years. The first thing you’ll notice when observing Mrs. B’s class is the love, she has for each of her students and their love for her. Students in Mrs. B’s class are accepted as they are, excited to participate in class and love to sing and dance. Aside from being the best kindergarten teacher in the universe, Mrs. B. is the first to volunteer for building and district initiatives. She is part of the social studies curriculum committee, assessment committee, PLC committee, building MTSS committee, school improvement committee. Jessie teaches with such enthusiasm for learning! Her voice and smile can’t help but draw you to her. Come watch Mrs. B in action and you’ll agree that she should be the Teacher of the Year!

Josephine Kirschenmann – Leclaire Elementary School

Mrs. Kirschenmann has been absolutely wonderful with my son. She has inspired him to be more creative, considerate of others’ feelings and kind person. She is also remarkably patient and caring. My son is no easy student, with more than his fair share of disruption and issues with attentiveness. She has never given up on trying to help him be successful in both academics and with his peers. She has used strategy after strategy to help him, and without her hard work, compassion and dedication to her students, I do not believe this school year would have been as successful for my son. And while “liking” a teacher is not always a reliable indicator for how amazing an educator may be, on top of all of this, he really likes her and looks forward to seeing her every day. Thank you, Mrs. K, for everything you have done. We greatly appreciate you!

Liberty Middle School- Edwardsville, IL

Peggy Emling – Liberty Middle School

Several of our children have had the privilege of being in Peggy’s 7th grade history classes. Peggy teaches the students higher level critical thinking skills such as considering the source of articles, asking the hard questions like “why is this written and for what audience?” or “What is the objective of this article”. Additionally, outside of school, Peggy served as a scout leader for me in both my Cub and Scout units where I was the leader. She fully believes in personal development of mind and body and incorporates both into her curriculum and activities. All of my kids regard her as one of their best teachers and also a favorite. Their retention for history is incredible because of her teaching styles. With four kids in four different private and public schools, I cannot think of another teacher who would even come close to Peggy to receive this award.

Meadowbrook Intermediate School- Moro, IL

Donna Hall – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Mrs. Hall has been the best teacher for my son. She has brought him out of his shell and he loves going to school. She deserves to be Teacher of the Year!

Janice Fee – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

She is a great fifth grade teacher! During COVID she still held meetings from laptops and kept it interesting to learn! She deserves this award!

Matthew Zimmer – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Mr. Zimmer has made my daughters 4th grade experience amazing! She is always so excited to go to school and learn. You can tell he truly cares about each one of his students!

Michele Kirby – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

She is very kind and caring towards her students. She teaches in a way that makes learning very fun! She deserves to be recognized with this award!

Rachel Catanzaro – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

This amazing woman has helped not only my daughter who struggles with mental health, but any children that need her. While fighting breast cancer she has still checked in on her kids and has kept in touch with them.. she has a huge heart and has made everyone in her classes feel loved and special!!! She always puts her students first and she makes sure each one is comfortable and enjoying school!! She really just goes above and beyond!!!

Midway Elementary School- Moro, IL

Nicole Mathews – Midway Elementary School

Nicole Mathews is a kindergarten teacher who makes the world a better place! Both of my boys have had the good fortune of having her as an educator and we couldn’t have picked a better person. She’s kind and caring and radiates positivity. There is not a more deserving person for this award.

Shelbi Diamond – Midway Elementary School

She is very fun and engaging with her students! She has done a great job as always this year and my child is very lucky to have her!

Staci Kyro – Midway Elementary School

Mrs. Kyro shows exemplary leadership every day. She creates a positive atmosphere in her classroom where successes are celebrated. Mrs. Kyro highlights positivity by sending home “positive notes.” Her behavior management system promotes positive behavior and doing the right thing. Mrs. Kyro makes learning fun through games and activities. She is extremely kind and patient. She communicates with parents often and through multiple channels of communication. Mrs. Kyro goes above and beyond by providing additional learning opportunities in math and reading to keep our daughter engaged and growing. Mrs. Kyro significantly impacts our daughter’s mental wellness in a positive way. Our daughter feels supported, cared for and listened to. Our daughter loves going to school to be in Mrs. Kyro’s classroom. Mrs. Kyro is an empathetic, compassionate and professional teacher. She exudes the traits of a quality instructor and should be considered for Teacher of the Year!

Mt. Olive Elementary/Junior High School- Mt. Olive, IL

Amy Moulton – Mt. Olive Elementary/Junior High School

She should be the next Teacher of the Year because she is so patient and caring to all of her students. She creates a positive atmosphere that makes the students excited to come to school each and every day. She displays all of the qualities for a great Teacher of the Year!

Breanna Seely – Mt. Olive Elementary/Junior High School

She goes above and beyond for every student, not just in her own class. This is her first-year teaching and our school is SO lucky to have her!

Jennie Binney – Mt. Olive Elementary/Junior High School

She is the best and I know that every student looks up to her as their role model. She is caring and lends her ear out to anyone that needs to talk. She deserves this award more than anyone else!

Julie Cox – Mt. Olive Elementary/Junior High School

Mrs. Cox is an amazing teacher! She puts her heart and soul into teaching and loves her students as if they were her very own. She makes learning fun and makes each child feel as if they matter. She is one of the best and Mt Olive Elementary is very lucky to have her!

Kimberly Greenwood – Mt. Olive Elementary/Junior High School

Kim teaches special education for Pre-K. She has the most patience and love for all of her students. She has a smile on her face every day regardless of what is going on. She loves all of her students like they are her own and I know they all feel the same about her. They all learn so much throughout the year because she takes the time to change how she teaches each individual child to cater to their needs. It takes a special person to be a special Ed teacher and no one deserves being teacher of the year as much as she does! Her students are so lucky to have someone like her.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School- Bethalto, IL

Bernadette Friedel – Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School

She exemplifies what Our Lady Queen of Peace strives to help all students become…. responsible, productive, faith filled adults. She genuinely cares for each of her students and treats them like they are her own all while providing a fun faith filled learning environment. She adds a lot to the Our Lady Queen of Peace Family and is very deserving of this award!

Parkside Primary School- Bethalto, IL

Allison Giacomini – Parkside Primary School

She is beyond amazing at teaching. I am very lucky that two of my children had her and I have my fingers crossed that my third will as well. She makes learning SO much fun and really engages the students in her lessons. She is overall a wonderful person that is deserving of this award!

Christy Law-Halley – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Halley is an amazing teacher. She has been a blessing to have as my daughter’s 3rd grade teacher. My daughter speaks highly of her and really enjoys going to school because of her teacher. She has always shown kindness and acceptance to all of her students.

Courtney Wesley – Parkside Primary School

Courtney Wesley is an amazing teacher that truly cares about her students as if they were her own. Her positivity shines through as she teaches. I couldn’t think of a more deserving person to win Teacher of the Year!

Denise Ingram – Parkside Primary School

Denise is a wonderful teacher that works well to engage the students learning in whichever way works the best for them. She is continuously striving to make sure the kids are having fun learning and is their biggest cheerleader. She takes time to send home handwritten notes of encouragement and praise. She keeps parents informed of what is happening in the classroom and even shares photos almost daily on social media.

Emily Helling – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Helling is my granddaughter’s teacher that has skillfully been able to channel her advanced intellectual capabilities and sociality, while at the same time using her normal grade-level emotional intelligence to keep her mind occupied and learning. Mrs. Helling has managed to channel my granddaughter’s creative energy into learning and growth opportunities without treading on her spirit. She also supports her students interests outside of the classroom, for example she attended my granddaughters voice recital. We are very thankful to have such positive role model of a teacher in our school district and she is very deserving of this award!

Kelly Wooten – Parkside Primary School

She is hands down the best teacher there is! She loves each of her students like they are her own and you can tell she really loves her job. She deserves to be awarded as the newest Teacher of the Year!

Keri Lugge – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Lugge communicates so well with her students and makes learning fun! She is a positive bright light in the classroom that impacts her students each and every day. She deserves this nomination and award!

Kimberly Bohnenstiehl – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Bohnenstiehl is an incredible teacher. She is there for any student when they are going through a tough time and it means a lot. She treats her students as if they are her family and deserves to be recognized for all that she does daily for her students!

Maria Roach – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Roach is a positive, compassionate, nurturing teacher and colleague. She always roots for the underdog and brings happiness to every room she enters!

Shane Stille – Parkside Primary School

Mr. Stille has been a wonderful teacher to our daughter. She is always excited to go to school and often says while at home “I can’t wait to tell Mr. Stille!” He genuinely cares about his students well enough that they make him apart of their lives outside of school. He makes learning fun and teaches them great lessons about being kind and a good friend!

Tammy Williams – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Williams is such a sweet and caring teacher. So supportive and just an all-around amazing person. She works hard to make one on one connections with her students and will do whatever she can to cultivate a love for school. She makes my son love coming to school and it has been great having her as his teacher this year.

Staunton Elementary/Junior High School- Staunton, IL

Amanda Moore – Staunton Elementary/Junior High School

Amanda Moore goes above and beyond for each student. She takes her time to understand what each child needs and how to help them reach their full potential. She truly cares about their wellbeing and overall success. Her learning techniques are fun and engaging. She puts great time and energy into finding what works and what doesn’t. She is always smiling and her energy level is really motivating to her students. She does a great job communicating with parents and making sure we are working together as a team to ensure our child growth. She is an amazing new asset to our school.

Ava Ostendorf – Staunton Elementary/Junior High School

I am nominating Ms. Ostendorf because she truly is a wonderful educator. She cares so deeply about her students and her ambition to help them grow in the classroom is unmatched. Ava’s love for molding young minds is out of this world and she loves nothing more than to help the students succeed!

Brenda Horn – Staunton Elementary/Junior High School

Mrs. Horn is absolutely amazing! She is great with young children and understands that everyone learns at a different pace. She is always encouraging the students to go further. She is helpful, caring, and would be a great Teacher of the Year!

Brianna Bohlen – Staunton Elementary/Junior High School

She is an excellent example of what a teacher should be. She is entertaining, down to earth, and always has a smile. Seeing the joy she brings to her classroom and the awe on each student’s face is remarkable. Ms. Bohlen makes phenomenal connections with each and every one of her students both present and past. She shows how much she cares and makes each one feel special in their own way. She makes learning fun, just by changing her voice when reading or doing “magic” when working with numbers. She is someone I admire and follow on how to become a great teacher.

Laura Hollingsworth – Staunton Elementary/Junior High School

Ms. Hollingsworth single handedly runs our choir, musical, and play programs for the entire elementary, junior high, and high school! She is highly knowledgeable in her craft and pushes the kids to keep striving for their passions. To direct and produce the plays and musicals by herself is quite the job! What she does not only for our school, but our community is priceless. Art and music are so important and she allows our small school to shine! In a recent competition, our students were told by a judge “whoever leads you is doing an amazing job. For such a small school, you are some of the best we’ve seen”. Laura deserves this award!

Staunton High School- Staunton, IL

Matthew Larson – Staunton High School

Mr. Larson is more than a Spanish teacher. He has a passion for people and he begins each class by giving the students an opportunity to open up and share something going on in their lives no matter how big or how small. This gives them a safe space to start learning without carrying weight. He is the student’s biggest cheerleader!

Michele Wright – Staunton High School

At the beginning of the year, she took the role to be a leader and has continued to strive! She deserves this award!

Tamra Johnston – Staunton High School

Tamra has a true passion for her students and the community. She strives for excellence in all she does. She works with students to provide the support they need.

Wilbur Trimpe Middle School- Bethalto, IL

Anne Peuterbaugh – Trimpe Middle School

I think that she is the best teacher because she is always willing to help and never wants any student to fall behind on their work. She is very caring and you can tell she truly loves her job. She deserves to be the next Teacher of the Year!

April Wrenn – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Wrenn is an amazing teacher because she always tries her best to help out her students in any way that she can. She is also very caring and kind to her students. She makes learning fun by rewarding a random student from each class period every week with prizes and snacks. She also tries to connect with her students by getting to know their personal interests. She is the best overall at Trimpe Middle School and deserves this award!

Bailey Schmidt – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Schmidt is the best P.E. teacher because she is so caring towards all of the other students and staff. She has the sweetest personality and I know anyone that has her as a teacher knows this. She deserving this award for all that she does for us!

Beth Schaft – Trimpe Middle School

She is such a nice teacher that rewards us when we accomplish something big! She always has the biggest smile on her face even when she is having a bad day. We need more teachers like her in this world. She deserves this award more than anyone else!

Breanna Hamilton – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Hamilton is a wonderful Math Teacher that helps teach regular Math and Algebra. She helps out if any student needs assistance and is nice overall to anyone. She has a calming presence that has made all of us very comfortable to be in her class. She makes every minute in her class productive and fun all at the same time. Overall, Mrs. Hamilton should be the next Teacher of the Year!

Brianna Wooley – Trimpe Middle School

She is the best teacher that is so relatable to everyone. She helps a lot in reading, writing, and math and will explain things in a way that everyone understands. She deserves this award!

Cody Moore – Trimpe Middle School

I am nominating Mr. Moore because he is so nice. He helps us here at Trimpe with anything we need. He is also really laid back. Mr. Moore shows us that he cares about us and he has great compassion for his students. If you’re struggling, he will help you during study hall, before or after school. He is also good about not holding late work against us if we were gone or sick. Mr. Moore makes learning so fun for his students too. He can teach us in lots of different ways so everyone understands what we are learning. Mr. Moore cares about us all here at Trimpe and that’s why he deserves this award.

Dee Haar – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Haar is a very good teacher that deserves this award because she is always helping her class out whenever they need it. She provides us with good resources like offering us times after school that we can come get help with studying for tests. Along with her help, she also likes to have a little bit of fun during class and rewards us every once in a while, by letting us purchase snacks with a $100 bill we earn from in class learning activities. She is the best!

Derek Haar – Trimpe Middle School

Mr. Haar is an amazing teacher. He helps students learn many real-world things as well as teaching us what we need to know in school. He makes our classes fun and always keeps a smile on my face when I’m having a bad day. Even if he doesn’t know you super well, he will always stop to make sure you are okay and if you aren’t he will listen and give his best advice. Mr. Haar is very observant and will notice if anything is wrong, and if you just need a break, he will do his best to give you that. He doesn’t provide extra credit, but he makes sure his students are always paying attention so it’s easy to keep an A/B in his class at all times. He’s an amazing person and teacher with an amazing heart!

Eileen Broske – Trimpe Middle School

- She is a great teacher all together. She will help anyone no matter what and is always there to listen. She checks up on everyone to make sure everyone is doing okay and that they are keeping their grades up. She wants you to have fun in her class and teaches us in a way that we will always remember. She is fast to respond when I email her and wants to make sure everyone is on the right track to succeed!

Jennifer Gowin – Trimpe Middle School

She is always so kind and loving towards her students. She helps any student who struggles to learn or pay attention by teaching them one on one. She has such a positive attitude that helps make learning fun for her students. She is so respectful to everyone and deserves to be the next Teacher of the Year!

Jeffery Ochs – Trimpe Middle School

Mr. Ochs is a very kind and understanding teacher that is always caring for his students. He reassures them that they are safe and he understands when anyone is going through rough times. He knows how to lighten up someone’s mood and is great at teaching basketball! He deserves this award!

Julie Oller – Trimpe Middle School

I am nominating this teacher because she is so nice and caring. She is the best teacher all around that is very helpful to any student. You can tell she really loves her job and it makes a huge difference! She deserves this award more than anyone!

Kariann Wineland – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Wineland is such a positive teacher and she is always so uplifting. She is such a kind person and is always there for everyone when they need help. Words cannot describe her huge and loving heart for her students and everyone else.

Kary Morgan – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Morgan helped me stay positive so much last year, even with my best friend moving and everything that was going on. She cares about every one of her students and really hopes for the best for each of them. Mrs. Morgan often offers to stay after school and help students and shows her school spirit in many different ways. I really hope that she is the next Teacher of the Year!

Kassidy Gaither – Trimpe Middle School

I think Mrs. Gaither should win Teacher of the Year because she is so helpful and is always making class fun! She pushes us to participate in activities and is always so energetic. She treats us like we are her own kids and you can tell she truly loves us all. She is the best!

Lori Dozier – Trimpe Middle School

I am nominating Mrs. Dozier because she is a great teacher and loves all of her students. She is also very happy when any student comes to her for help. She always keeps her room very organized and checks in with us to make sure we are doing well. I love her and she is the best math teacher I have ever had.

Lucas Reincke – Trimpe Middle School

He is so helpful and there for his students at all times. He is positive and always ready to take on whatever question we might ask. He is the best!

Madison Sheraka – Trimpe Middle School

She is nice to everyone and always has fun activities that help you learn. She’s always very uplifting by making sure that everyone in her class is okay and understanding everything. She deserves this award!

Marissa Banovz – Trimpe Middle School

She made me love math, but also kept me focusing and paying attention when in class. She gives me opportunities for make up work and is always there to help out whenever I need it. She deserves to be the next Teacher of the Year!

Nancy Butterfield – Trimpe Middle School

I love Mrs. Butterfield and I look forward to her class each day. She is awesome and deserves this award more than anyone. She helps us to get work done while being uplifting and positive. I have never been the best at ELA, but she helps me and my classmates succeed. She deserves to win Teacher of the Year for all of the extra work she puts into her job!

Peter Midgley – Trimpe Middle School

He is an awesome teacher that is always positive and there for us. You can tell he really loves his job! He deserves this award!

Renea Wilhite – Trimpe Middle School

I think that she is the best teacher because she is always willing to help and never wants any student to fall behind on their work. She is very caring and you can tell she truly loves her job. She deserves to be the next Teacher of the Year!

Rick Reinhart – Trimpe Middle School

He’s a great influence on everyone in the school and motivates students in sports and P.E. class. He loves to watch his students succeed and for that I think he would make the perfect Teacher of the Year!

Sarah Hughes – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Hughes makes her students feel loved and works hard for them at all time. She truly loves her job and it shows. She goes above and beyond and deserves to be recognized with this award!

Shanna Combes – Trimpe Middle School

She is the best Language Arts teacher that makes learning fun for everyone! She makes sure that she answers any questions anyone has and is always there to help! She is the best teacher at our school and she definitely deserves to win this award!

Suzie Moore – Trimpe Middle School

Mrs. Moore is the best teacher that helps students when they are struggling. She has also made almost all of her students love language arts. She constantly encourages us to do better and to try our hardest. She deserves to be the next Teacher of the Year!

Wolf Ridge Elementary School- Bunker Hill, IL

Brendan Magruder – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Mr. Magruder teaches in a way that makes learning fun and engaging! He challenges his students to do more than just apply the math concepts they learn to answer problems. He has them be the teacher to explain these concepts to others and ensures students understand the importance of their learning in the real world. Likewise, when Mr. Magruder teachers social studies and science to his 4th grade students, he allows them to explore, experiment, and conduct their own research. Students take ownership of their learning! As a parent, I am thrilled that my child has Mr. Magruder as a teacher.

Dawn Gockel – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Ms. Gockel has been a gem in my son’s world – and mine. I know she has been positivity influencing little minds for a very, very long time as in a few years she will be retiring. I believe this is something to be honored – a lifetime of teaching and loving all kinds of children with different needs and learning styles. Ms. G creates a home away from home atmosphere for her kids – little couches by bookshelves, a free day Friday earned by a hard work week, snacks every day for an energy boost, and a reading voice that captures the attention of her little audience. Her smile and hugs bring warmth to a cold world, and her willingness to protect her kids – no matter what – shows what it is to truly be a selfless, loving teacher. Not to be left out is the parent/teacher relationship. A parent wants nothing more than to be a part of their children’s educational world, and Ms. G always ensures that happens. I have had the immense pleasure to continually see the amazing environment Ms. G creates for not only my son, but all the kids who enter her class. In my eyes, she has already won the competition for best teacher, but I hope the rest of the world gets to know this and she is nominated for doing what she clearly loves and is phenomenal at!

Elora McLaughlin – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Mrs. McLaughlin is not only an outstanding educator. She keeps 25 – 1st graders in line and teaches them in a gentle manner. She has been a safe, kind, and caring person that kids turn to on a hard day. Both with my oldest 5 years ago and now. She is an absolute treasure!

Erin McAfee – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Erin McAfee. Every morning Erin greets the students coming into school at 7:30. She takes the time to check in with each child to make sure they are ready for the day. Erin then begins her day working with kids that are struggling with reading and math skills. She takes small groups and works with them on foundational reading/math skills…and always comes up with fun ways to teach each one to help guide them. Erin is always lending her expertise to co teachers to guide them with these ideas to use within the classroom. All students that work within her small groups are excited to see “Ms. McAfee” They love her sense of fun and humor, as she shows them ways to reach higher levels of the fundamentals of reading. Erin also is always ready to help her co-teachers implement new technology and interventions into classroom lessons. In addition to this, she works with our “challenge” program. She seeks to find innovative ways to ensure that creativity, team work, and goal setting are part of this group of kids. She is a master at her profession. Erin has high standards for herself and all her students. She deserves TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

Jessica Huebner – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Mrs. Huebner is very encouraging and challenges her students in math. I know that she pushes them only with the hopes that they excel and succeed. She is also very aware that children in kindergarten may get the “scaries” and the child may come home grouchy or tired, but that is solely because parents are the child’s safe place where they feel comfortable to express emotion. She sends pictures of the students to the parents to make sure they know how well they are doing. Mrs. Huebner also loves when her students learn to read. She had mentioned during open house that, it doesn’t matter how many years she has done taught, she always manages to shed a tear or two when “her littles” as she calls them, can read. You can tell that she truly cares about each of her students as if they were her own children. It makes me as a parent and I know all of the other parents so comfortable knowing that our children are being taken care of. She is overall a bright shining light of a person and teacher that deserves this award more than anyone!

Kimberly Baker – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

My son was a new student this year, and Ms. Baker has gone above and beyond to make him feel comfortable. She always keeps great contact with me and my son absolutely adores her. She is really great!

Megan Dugan – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Mrs. Dugan is a sweet, positive and understanding teacher. She builds a close relationship with the students in her class and treats them as her own. The classroom becomes a family, which then creates a successful learning environment. She is a perfect teacher to be awarded!

Megan Murphy – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Ms. Murphy is an amazing junior high math teacher. She brings humor to each of her lessons engaging her teenage students and making math fun. She also uses real world examples to ensure students understand the importance of their learning. Ms. Murphy has challenged my child in many ways. However, she first started by forming a positive relationship. That means everything to me as a parent.

Misty Perez– Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Mrs. Perez is constantly finding new ways to engage her fourth-grade students. Recently, she even transformed her entire classroom into a surgical ward! The extra effort that goes into lessons like this is very much appreciated. This is also just one example of the many ways she goes above and beyond to ensure student engagement. She challenges her students and ensures they are progressing to that next level while also making it fun. That is no easy feat. As a parent, I am so thankful to have Mrs. Perez as my child’s teacher.

Suzanne Rull – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

This teacher goes above and beyond and truly cares for her kids she teaches. She was truly a blessing for my child and his education during second grade, and she highly deserves this award!

Tana Strohmeier – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Tana has been an ELA Middle School Teacher in the Bunker Hill School District for years. Even though she has many years of experience, and a vast variety of units and lesson plans she has created, she is constantly looking at new curriculum’s and testing its value on her students. She creates a warm, inviting classroom for her 6th & 8th graders, and is involved in the Bunker Hill Community. She is always willing to lend a hand if needed, and is one of the best teachers I have met in my 20 plus years of teaching. I work in a building full of teachers deserving of this award, but Tana is most deserving.

Tyrus Short – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Mr. Short forms positive relationships with the students he teaches. These relationships ensure that students will then take his class seriously and want to learn. My child constantly comes home talking about the activities and lessons he has learned in Mr. Short’s social studies class. He knows that he can go to Mr. Short if he ever needs anything whether it be a question about a topic being studied in class or a social issue happening outside of class. He respects and trusts Mr. Short, and that trust and respect is mutually given. That means everything to me as a parent.

Worden Elementary School- Worden, IL

Patty Odom – Worden Elementary School

She has a large class of kids this year and she handles it with such grace and patience! She always takes time out to update us parents with pictures through the day with what they are working on. You can tell she absolutely loves her students and pours everything she has into them!! Such a wonderful person and teacher!!!

Zion Lutheran School- Bethalto, IL

Sherry Brueck – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Miss B is truly one of the best educators. She is so patient, kind and understanding of all kids. I feel like she has made school enjoyable for our daughter and has helped shape her little brain. Miss B is so gentle with the kids and provides the nurturing environment you hope your kid will get to experience every year of school. We have loved every minute of this kindergarten year and will truly miss her next year! She has helped our daughter grow academically, socially and emotionally.