Teacher of the Year Nominees | Madison Communications

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 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 2022

Alhambra Primary School- Alhambra, IL

Brooke Lewis – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Lewis has made our child enjoy going to school. She has figured out how to make learning fun for her second grade students. She is kind and makes sure her students feel comfortable and included.

Carol Seiler – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Seiler pours her heart into her students! She strives to have her students become independent readers and students. I have watched my daughter grow into a much stronger reader due to Mrs. Seiler’s help. Her dedication to teaching oftentimes gets overlooked as a Reading Specialist, but her passion and knowledge is something that shines in her students. She is truly one-of-a-kind!

Elizabeth Grotefendt – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Grotefendt absolutely loves being a kindergarten teacher. She shows excitement and keeps her students engaged and entertained through her teaching. She shows kindness and has done a great job teaching our children to love learning. She sets a great foundation for their school experience. She teaches engaging lessons that are valuable to young students. She also helps to lead the schools triathlon character education event. I’d like to believe that all teachers have hearts of gold, but it takes a special kind of person to teach Kindergarten students. She is very committed to teaching and you can tell by the way each student lights up. I cannot thank her enough for the influence she has made in my child’s education. It eases my mind knowing that my child is in such great hands.

Jesse Sauls – Alhambra Primary School

Mr. Sauls is very engaged with his students. He teaches the kids fun and life learning lessons. He deserves to be recognized with this award!

Melissa Greco – Alhambra Primary School

Mrs. Greco is a new teacher who stepped in mid-year and has hit the ground running. She hasn’t missed a beat teaching her class, making the transition to a new teacher very easy for our kids. She’s made 3rd grade a great year for my child and the others.

Susie Kronk – Alhambra Primary School

I am nominating Susie Kronk for teacher of the year because she’s not just an amazing teacher but she is a true caregiver of children. I’m so very thankful I can drop my child off at school every day and know she’s going to be taken care of. My daughter loves going to school to see her every day. Very thankful.

Ben-Gil Elementary School- Gillespie, IL

Celia Jubelt – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Miss Jubelt has been an amazing teacher for our kindergarten student. She exudes patience, kindness, and love to all of her students, even on their roughest days. I am so thankful for her nurturing spirit and unwavering, unconditional love for her students. She communicates clearly with parents, always demonstrates respect, and focuses on collaboration to ensure student success! And not only does she work with the littlest learners all day, she devotes her free time in the evening to coaching the high school and middle school volleyball team. The positive impact she is having on the lives of so many students in our district makes her the best candidate for this award! She is incredibly deserving of recognition for all of her hard work!

Darrick Orban – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Mr. Orban is a veteran teacher who has served the Ben-Gil students consistently and compassionately. Mr. Orban teaches 3rd grade and is known around the District as one of the most sought after teachers. He takes his time to connect with each student in his class and make sure they know they are loved and cared for. Academically he pushes them to be their best and, when someone exceeds standards he helps push them to past complacency. As a parent, knowing that my child enjoys going to class each day and admires his teacher, I could not ask for anything more.

Jay Weber – Ben-Gil Elementary School

Mr. Weber is a 5th Grade teacher at Ben-Gil Elementary who chooses to dedicate his time in and out of the classroom to not only the students in his class, but the entire District. He is the Middle School and High School Track/Cross Country Coach and recently created the Tiger Running Club for elementary age students. The program teaches students about running and helps them to stay active throughout the duration of the year. He makes the time fun while encouraging students to be outdoors and to move to promote their physical well-being. He is working to receive donations to fund the program on his own and it is clear he loves having a positive influence in the lives of these students.

Melissa Bussmann – Ben-Gil Elementary School

I am nominating Mrs. Bussmann because of how hard she works to ensure that her students get the best education possible. She also has the best ability to form positive relationships with her students. During COVID and remote learning, she went above and beyond to make sure her students understood the learning material, caught up with assignments, and was always there to answer questions. Mrs. Bussmann also puts a lot of time and dedication into her students and classroom that does not go unnoticed. I think Mrs. Bussmann is the perfect candidate for Teacher of the Year because she has all of the qualities that make a great teacher and she is so deserving of this award.

Rachelle Prough – Ben- Gil Elementary School

She is a very nice teacher that deserves this award. She is the best at assisting the students on any subject they need a little extra help on. She goes the extra mile for her students.

Bethalto East Primary School- Bethalto, IL

Erica Harper – Bethalto East Primary School

Mrs. Harper is a compassionate teacher that goes above and beyond for her students. She takes the time to get to know each of their unique talents and personalities. She doesn’t hesitate to contact a parent concerning their child whether it be for the good or the bad. She always comes up with a plan to combat and or reward behavior. Lastly, she has a pure heart of gold and she loves all of her kids with everything. We absolutely think she is the best teacher there is that is very deserving of this award!

Julie Frank – Bethalto East Primary School

My 6 year old absolutely LOVES Mrs. Frank. She has helped her grow so much just the last few months. It is such a good feeling when your child comes home and talks about how much she LOVED school today.

Karrie Denney – Bethalto East Primary School

I would love to nominate Mrs. Denney because she has gone above and beyond to make sure all of her students stayed caught up the last few years with COVID. She is very encouraging to all of the students and has done a phenomenal job engaging her first-graders. I would think that would be challenging, but she makes it look effortless. She even goes out of her way to attend her student’s sporting events! This makes them feel so special and important. She’s truly one of the best teachers out there and we all appreciate everything she does!

Kelly Wooten – Bethalto East Primary School

Mrs. Wooten is a great teacher. She goes above and beyond to provide her students with excellent learning experiences. She is great at teaching different techniques that match every student’s style of learning. She is very deserving of this award!

Skylar King – Bethalto East Primary School

She deserves this award because it takes a very special person to teach small minds with disabilities. She has a heart of gold and goes above and beyond for her students every day.

Tammy Hyman – Bethalto East Primary School

Mrs. Hyman is so patient and loving towards the children. Even during a hard time personally, she has stayed focused on them and done her best to make efforts to be consistently present for them. She is very deserving of this award.

Bunker Hill High School- Bunker Hill, IL

Brian Young – Bunker Hill High School

Mr. Young is always there to lend a hand to any student and is very helpful with our personal projects. He will lead anyone in the right direction with the upmost respect. He stands out as one of the best teachers at Bunker Hill High School!

Craig Marshall – Bunker Hill High School

Anyone who knows Mr. Marshall will notice a very dedicated teacher who is there for all of the right reasons. Mr. Marshall has a stern, but funny and respectful personality. Students know what he expects and he gains their respect quickly. He teaches in great depth and the students walk away with a large amount of knowledge with whatever class he has taught. We have many discussions about Mr. Marshall and both of our daughters always talk highly of him. They also talk about many “interesting facts” that he shares often with the classes that you wouldn’t normally learn in a regular classroom. One of our favorites that we have grown to use in our own household is if someone has hiccups, you ask that person “what color are they?” It stops them like magic…one of those interesting facts that I hope he knows carry on with the students. Mr. Marshall may not realize how much of an impact he makes on these students day in and day out. We are very thankful our girls have had him as a teacher. Keep being awesome Mr. Marshall!

Doug Banwart – Bunker Hill High School

Mr. Banwart has been serving the Bunker Hill School District as a high school social science teacher since August, 2017. While in that role, he has made an enormous contribution to our student body, in developing a culture of learning with very high expectations, positivity, and passion for the social sciences. Oftentimes, he engages his students using project-based learning and learning experiences outside of the classroom. For example in early March, Mr. Banwart lead his current and future AP Government/Macroeconomics/European History students on a 2-day field trip. They traveled to the State Capitol in Springfield, where they met numerous state officials and participated in a behind-the-scenes look inside the Capitol Building. He and his students also visited Arthur, IL and Amish Country and then participated in an escape room in Peoria, fostering critical thinking skills, camaraderie, and team-building. Lastly, the class visited a WWII historian and the Livingston County War Museum, enjoying an interactive lecture, demonstration of real artifacts and mementos from the war, and having purposeful conversations with those who have sacrificed so greatly for us—our veterans!

Jessica Huebner – Bunker Hill High School

Mrs. Huebner is one of the most involved teachers I have ever seen. She jumps right in to all the activities and is one of the kids. Both of my children were blessed to have her and they were always excited to go to school. Even years later they still get excited to see her and stop by her classroom to say hello.

Kay McElroy – Bunker Hill High School

I used to be an exchange student in Bunker Hill and this teacher changed my life. She made me feel welcome and taught me more in 7 months than my teachers were able to in France for 5 years. She also helped me with my future career choices. I was so lost when I arrived in this high school, but she helped me and now I want to follow a part of her path and become a French and Spanish teacher here in the US! She was so excited when I told her that and she even let me came back this year to do my internship with her. She is unique and she makes a difference in every kid’s life!

Megan Eschbach – Bunker Hill High School

Megan took over as our department head while I took the year off for maternity leave. Only having one year of teaching experience, she faced this challenge head-on, taught new classes, and excelled at providing our students with an amazing education! She makes learning fun and accessible for all of the students at BHHS. They are so lucky to have her as their teacher!

Michael Adams – Wolf Ridge Elementary School & Bunker Hill High School

Mr. Adams is an amazing music/band director. Not only does he go above and beyond for his students, he makes learning fun. Being able to teach young students how to play recorders and appreciate music, to leading the areas beat pep band, and to planning GREAT concerts takes a special individual. His class challenges my student and so many others and it is, for some, the reason they look forward to coming to school every day. I think we take Mr. Adams skills and dedication to the program for granted and would love to honor him with this award.

Tyrus Short – Bunker Hill High School

Mr. Short has taught me so much about geography and does it in a way that is interesting and helps me to understand. However, he does much more than that, too. He listens and gets to know us! He takes the time to check in on us to see how we are doing and encourages us to be our best. He is very deserving of this award!

Civic Memorial High School- Bethalto, IL

Angela Parish – Civic Memorial High School

I’m nominating Ms. Parish because she has helped me and her other students tremendously throughout this school year. Ms. Parish tries to understand the situation a student is dealing with and tries to help in the best possible way. Ms. Parish also tries to help students outside of school even if she can’t be there, for example, helping to apply to college, jobs, home life, etc. Ms. Parish does so much for this school and truly cares about each individual student and teacher.

Brett Kalker – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Kalker is one of the best teachers there is, he puts in the work with his students and makes his classes so much fun. Mr. Kalker is a teacher and a friend that’s easy to confide in and talk to you. He makes the work environment feel safe and relaxing for the students. Mr. Kalker also helps out with school plays and puts in a lot of time and effort towards his job and everything he does. He deserves this award!

Brianne Jakes – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Mrs. Jakes because she is an outstanding English teacher that is very helpful to every student in her class. She walks through everything she teaches in a way that all of the students understand. She also has a special connection with her students and has grown to know them all on a personal level. She puts in the extra effort on a daily basis and deserves this award!

Brittney Clark – Civic Memorial High School

I am nominating Mrs. Clark because she is one of the most helpful teachers that connects with us on a whole different level. She is also a big part of our athletic teams and makes sure to ask us how our games went. A great math teacher with a great student-teacher bond.

Charlie Brown – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Brown is a truly amazing teacher. Not only does he do an outstanding job teaching foods, but he makes learning enjoyable. He gives credit to his students and encourages others to succeed. He is such a fun teacher that truly loves his job. He deserves this award!

Chloe Thomure – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Thomure not only teaches my oldest daughter at Civic Memorial she also teaches my youngest daughter at Bethalto East. I think it is absolutely amazing that she is not only my oldest daughter’s favorite teacher but also my youngest daughter’s favorite teacher. The ability to reach and engage such a wide age range shows just how special she is. She tries her best to get the kids to be as creative as possible and is very encouraging to them. She is truly an amazing teacher.

Christine Wright – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Wright is one of the best teachers I have had the pleasure to work with. She helps her students achieve and strive for the best to get them to be where they need to be. I think she should be teacher of the year for all her efforts and hard work with her students.

Clarissa Maag – Civic Memorial High School

She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because of the way she lets her students express their humor and personality. She wants everyone to achieve and truly cares about her job. She is a great teacher!

Clinton Walters – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Walters is a biology teacher at CM that always makes sure everyone is successful in the classroom. Not only is he an easy teacher to speak to and become close with, he does his best to let everyone understand his class and how it can be used in the real world. He’s a very down to earth and relatable teacher. He deserves this award!

Emily Auten – Civic Memorial High School

She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she is very understanding and will listen to what every student has to say. She has a heart of gold and truly cares about all of us!

Halstead Selby – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Selby is a hard-working teacher who does his best to make sure his students understand the topic and can easily maintain a fun, yet focused environment. He makes connections to the topics that his students understand, and can relate to. He connects with students through Drama club and he also runs the science club. I think he is an amazing teacher who does his best to help his students understand what he’s teaching and make them feel welcome in his class.

Heather Wallace – Civic Memorial High School

She is a great teacher that really knows how to connect with her students. She is always willing to help and goes the extra miles to understand. She deserves this award!

Jacklyn Olney – Civic Memorial High School

She’s been kind and helpful to me and other students during the first year she’s worked here. She has made me and several other students feel safe at school. She goes above and beyond as a teacher and we all notice it!

Jacob Carlson – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Carlson is an amazing teacher who has truly impacted my life for the better! He makes learning fun and keeps everyone engaged. He also has an amazing relationship with so many of the students he teaches. He deserves this award!

Jeremy Christenson – Civic Memorial High School

He deserves this award because he is very nice to his students and is just simply fun to be around. He cares about the students and deserves to be recognized!

Joan Dougherty – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Dougherty has always been very helpful when I have been confused on something in her class. Because I have special needs, I sometimes need extra help. Mrs. Dougherty is always there to guide me, when I am struggling. She helps all of her students equally. She doesn’t play favorites. I love Mrs. Dougherty, and I know she loves all of her students. I love what Mrs. Dougherty does with us to help us learn.

Joanna Connoyer – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Connoyer helps several of her students study and achieve in their classes. She not only teaches her students, but she motivates them as well. She deserves this award!

Krystal Giltner – Civic Memorial High School

Krystal works tirelessly to make sure all of her special education students meet or exceed expectations and grades. She works tremendously well with all staff in the school as a co-teacher and peer. She is a behind-the-scenes teacher that never asks for acknowledgment and yet is always there for co-workers or students. Krystal is an organized individual and helps all of the students with their executive functioning skills to become more organized and more successful. We do not say enough about the special education teachers that work so hard and with such commitment. Krystal is a true teacher of the year!

Laura Unterbrink – Civic Memorial High School

Laura Unterbrink works hard to make sure every student knows the topic well and understands it. She is relatable, funny, and awesome all around. Laura is a trained listener and lifesaver helping her make students feel safe and comfortable to talk to her about anything. Her classroom is a comfortable, safe, and understanding environment. Many students in the school would agree that Laura Unterbrink is the best.

Michaela Davis – Civic Memorial High School & Trimpe Middle School

There are multiple reasons that I am nominating Miss Davis for this award. Miss Davis is a wonderful teacher and it is clear from her work that she has a passion for the music that she helps us make as a band teacher. Every day Miss Davis comes to the classroom and wants us to do our best and she tries to do her best. She has a classroom that is built on honesty and she is very open with all of her students. Beyond being a great teacher Miss Davis is also involved with the theater program and she dedicates her time outside of her regular hours to make sure that we will have the best performance that we can. This is Ms.Davis’s last year here at CMHS and I would love for her to go out with her leaving her mark here.

Philip Scheider – Civic Memorial High School

Mr. Schneider was my U.S History teacher first semester during this school year. When I missed school and came back it was extremely overwhelming trying to make up the work. Mr. Schneider was extremely understanding and helped me work through my assignments. He is always there for any student and deserves this award!

Rachael Varland – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Varland is absolutely amazing. She has a wonderful relationship with her students and inspires them to learn in all aspects of life. Ms. Varland understands that different students have different learning styles and works hard for every student of hers!

Renee Reznack – Civic Memorial High School

Renee Reznack is one of the nicest teachers that truly cares about her students. They can go to her for any situation and she is always willing to listen. She gains close relationships with her students and it means a lot to them. She deserves this award!

Shawn Callies – Civic Memorial High School

My daughter loves going into Mr. Callies’ classroom. When she is having a bad day or just needs a place to go, his door is always open. He goes above and beyond for his students and encourages them to find their passion. He recently attended an art show that my daughter was entered into at SIUE. He came on a weeknight on his own time to support her and her classmates! He is the true definition of a teacher who truly cares about his students!!

Shelby Norris – Civic Memorial High School

Shelby Norris is very deserving of this award! She goes above and beyond in everything that she does and is always there to help any student. You can tell she cares about her job!

Suze Gibson – Civic Memorial High School

Mrs. Gibson is one of the best teachers I have ever had, if not the best. She is passionate in her work and really gets me interested in history. History has never been my favorite subject, but she really opened my eyes and allowed me to actually enjoy it.

Gillespie High School- Gillespie, IL

Daniel Edgerton – Gillespie High School

I chose to nominate Mr. Edgerton because he makes math more enjoyable for his students. He is also very funny and makes sure that the students understand the material he is teaching.

Katie Weigand – Gillespie High School

This teacher deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she is an amazing human being. She will go out of her way to help anyone. She also makes the students feel safe at school and is open for them to come talk to anytime they need her.

Kevin McNicholas – Gillespie High School

Mr. McNicholas is the most generous person you’ll meet. He is a counselor at Gillespie High and he does so much more than he needs to for his students. He helps us so much. He’s jumped our car and even changed out our car batteries. He deserves this award for all of the help he has gave. I know everyone at GHS appreciates him and all he does.

Korben Clark – Gillespie High School

He makes class so much fun for his students. He makes sure that his students understand the materials that he is teaching. I think it would be awesome if he could win this award and be recognized for all the work he puts into his job!

Michelle Smith – Gillespie High School

Mrs. Smith never gives up on her students even on the worst days. We always tend to underestimate ourselves, but she never does. She strives for us to do our absolute best. Each time we have a question she makes sure to explain it to everyone in detail and gives us extra time to complete a difficult assignment if needed. Out of every teacher I have ever met Mrs. Smith is the most dedicated to her students and sets high expectations for us. She truly deserves this award!

Gillespie Middle School- Gillespie, IL

Alexandrea Weinberg – Gillespie Middle School and High School

Alexandrea Weinberg is an all-around talented and caring teacher! She is very deserving of this award!

Chase Peterson- Gillespie Middle School

Mr. Peterson is a nice teacher and he is always pushing you to do your best. Mr. Peterson is also, funny and he helps kids at all times when they need help. He is one of the best teachers in this school and I would like to nominate him for teacher of the year because he deserves it.

Christina Blevins – Gillespie Middle School

She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she is hard working, nice, and always tries to help her students whenever they need it. She also helps students get caught up when they miss school. She is very deserving of this award!

Elizabeth Thackrey – Gillespie Middle School

She is very trustworthy and loves to help her students. She goes above and beyond every day! She deserves this award!

Emily Barylske – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating her because she is always so helpful to any students and will even text you back if you have questions on homework. She pauses what she is doing in class anytime someone has a question. She is truly one of a kind!

Jacob Bilbruck – Gillespie Middle School

Mr. Bilbruck is the nicest teacher I know. He deserves to be nominated! He goes out of his way to make sure the students understand what he teaches. He gives out classroom supplies to his students that have run out. He is just all around the best!

Jacob West – Gillespie Middle School

Jacob West is one of the nicest teachers that make sure his students enjoy his class! He is there for anyone and truly cares about his students! He deserves to be awarded!

Jessica Kelly – Gillespie Middle School

She is always there to help us when we need it. She assigns small amounts of homework so we do not get stressed out with a lot on our plate and she also makes sure we understand what she teaches. She is the best!

Kim Henderson – Gillespie Middle School

I’m nominating her because she is a really nice teacher that deserves to be recognized for all of the work she puts into her students every day! She is truly one of a kind!

Kyle Lamore – Gillespie Middle School

Mr. Lamore is a great science teacher that is very funny! He makes science interesting to learn about! He is also there to help any student that doesn’t understand the materials he is teaching. He deserves to win Teacher of the Year!

Matt Brawner – Gillespie Middle School

He deserves to be recognized because he is an amazing teacher that makes sure we stay on top of our assignments. He is also very understanding and helps us when we need it! He is the best!

Shanna Connor – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating this educator because of her ability to care for her students and the way she truly loves her job. She deserves to be recognized!

Stephanie Wilson – Gillespie Middle School

She deserves this award because she is very nice and helps all of her students with their work. Anytime that a student is struggling she will be sure that they succeed. She has a heart of gold and is truly one of a kind!

Vicki Grosze – Gillespie Middle School

I am nominating Mrs. Grosze from the GMS for her outstanding teaching abilities! She is a special education teacher and has gone above and beyond for her students! During the pandemic when schools were closed and we had to homeschool, my daughter really needed help with her work because she struggles understanding as she is special needs. I got ahold of Mrs. Grosze and she got permission to meet my daughter and all of her students that could make it, meet outside at the picnic table to teach them for an hour everyday so they wouldn’t get behind and got the help they needed!!! That really touched my heart as she did not have to go out of her way to do so! Thanks to her, my daughter understood her work and succeeded! So to her, I pray she wins this and sees this! My daughter is blessed to have a teacher that really cares about her education and goes out of her way for her students to succeed and understand! Thank you for reading this!

Head Start Illinois Valley/South Macoupin- Benld, IL

Barb Osmoe – Head Start Illinois Valley

Mrs. Barb. She has been an amazing teacher in their school for years and makes sure the kids are ready for kindergarten. She is all about the kids and is the most loving teacher hands down. She truly cares about her kids!

Stacy Jarman – Head Start Illinois Valley

I’m nominating this teacher because everywhere she goes she lights up the room. The children love her and love being in her classroom. She loves all the children like her own. My son looks up to her as a role model and he’s learned so much from her teaching him. She deserves this recognition for herself and her classroom.

Highland Middle School- Highland, IL

Kristin Reed – Highland Middle School

Mrs. Reed is so inspiring. She does her best to make every student feel welcome and happy. She has overcome so many things and powered through. She is one of the funniest people ever and is just amazing. She deserves to be Teacher of the Year!

Meadowbrook Intermediate School- Moro, IL

Christine Lasbury – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she is always there for her students and makes sure that they understand the materials. She is all around amazing!

Daija Nellums – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

I would like to nominate Ms. Daija Nellums for Teacher of the Year for her outstanding job of teaching the special needs class at Meadowbrook. Ms. Nellums has been a very positive and inspirational teacher with a huge, compassionate heart for the kids with disabilities, providing them with so many opportunities, possibilities, and a chance to ready themselves for the world in which they will be living, outside of a school environment. She is patient, loving and encouraging and is truly one of the best people. My son has flourished in her classroom and she has truly been a pleasure to know.

Derek Jarman – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

He truly cares about his kids and deserves to be recognized for this award! Thank you for all you do!

Janice Fee – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Janice Fee constantly goes above and beyond for her students. She does so much more than teach. She makes her students feel loved, safe and appreciated. I constantly see her online connecting and investing in former students long after they’ve left her classroom. She always shows up to graduation to see her “kids” graduate. She shows up to sporting events for her kids. She always remembers who you are even after you are all grown up. She is beyond deserving of this award!

Lucas Angelo – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Mr. Angelo goes above and beyond all expectations. He is a wonderful teacher and the kids love him. My child has learned so much from him this year. Also, he is very compassionate and kind to his students.

Matthew Zimmer – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Mr. Zimmer goes above and beyond to make all of his students feel important. He attends their athletic events on weekends and weeknights on his own time. He communicates with parents when there are issues with their child and finds a positive way to help the student. I cannot say enough good things about this teacher.

Rachel Catanzaro – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Mrs. Catanzaro is very great at communicating with the parents and is very understanding on a personal level. She goes above and beyond for her students. I could never thank her enough for making the transition to a new school so smooth for my son and putting my mom worries to rest. She is the best!

Sasha Hall – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Sasha Hall is an extraordinary teacher. She never even had my daughter in class and yet, has made the most significant impact on her life. I lost my sister to cancer in 2019 and my daughter was in 4th grade with Mrs. Hall being the teacher across the hall from her. My daughter really struggled missing her aunt and she would tell me how Sasha would pull her aside in the hall to hug her and offer her words of encouragement. I’m not sure my daughter would’ve made it through that difficult time without Sasha. Sasha still continues to check in on her two years later. She’s a teacher we will never forget!

Sarah Lee – Meadowbrook Intermediate School

Sarah has helped my daughter come out of her shell. My daughter now loves to go to school because of this amazing teacher. She instills confidence in her students and is there any time they need her. She is positive, patient, loving, friendly, and so much more. Please help us celebrate this awesome teacher!

Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School- Bethalto, IL

Rosemary Dorsey – Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School

I am nominating Mrs. Dorsey for teacher of the year 2022. Mrs. Dorsey is such a wonderful teacher, her dedication amazes me daily. Mrs. Dorsey goes above and beyond with all of her students truly empowering them to be amazing young adults. Her dedication to their education is admirable, but it doesn’t end there. Mrs. Dorsey makes sure that these kids are happy in the classroom and out of the classroom. Scheduling fun learning experiences and creative challenges to their daily lives keeping learning interesting. I am so glad that my daughter has had her these past 4 years as she has made such a positive impact on my daughter’s education. Please vote for Our Wonderful Mrs. Dorsey!

Parkside Primary School- Bethalto, IL

Allison Giacomini – Parkside Primary School

She makes the classroom so fun for her students! I have twins in her class this year & they actually get excited to get up and go to school! My oldest had her and loved her too! She’s so kind and patient. My sons reading and math has improved so much this year because of her! She is very deserving of this award!

Christy Law-Halley – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Halley goes above and beyond for her students! She showers them with love and pushes her students to the highest levels of achievement. Her creativity and ability to engage students make her classroom a fun place to be. This selfless teacher works to be the best teacher she can, continually perfecting her craft. Mrs. Halley is simply the best!

Courtney Wesley – Parkside Primary School

This teacher has opened my daughter up and made her want to go to school every day. She has been so helpful and taught my daughter so much! She is very understanding and caring and brings so much enthusiasm to her class! She is absolutely the best teacher ever!

Julie Wiemers – Parkside Primary School

Julie Wiemers is the sweetest teacher around! She is also very helpful and understanding to all of her students! She deserves this award!

Maria Roach – Parkside Primary School

Mrs. Roach works hard to help students be the best readers and mathematicians they can be! She loves each and every one of her students and they know it! She is a positive presence in the school, working hard to support her colleagues in the classroom. We love Mrs. Roach!

Mary Jo Shultz – Parkside Primary School

She has been amazing for my kids. We had her last year for remote learning and we’re lucky enough to have her again this year for in person. My kids have loved being a part of her class and she got them through a really tough couple of years!

Shane Stille – Parkside Primary School

Shane is amazing with all of the kids he teaches. He has been a teacher for both of my children and hopefully for the 3rd in the future. He makes sure that every child is getting the extra attention and help they need. He remembers the small things with his students and that makes a big difference. He is an amazing teacher and mentor for our kids to look up to for this reason I am nominating Shane Stille for Teacher of the Year.

Stacey Hoffmann – Parkside Primary School

She’s the best because she is so good with the kids and she is always there for you. She can make you laugh every second! She is so kind and warm hearted and I don’t know what I would do without her.

Staunton Elementary School- Staunton, IL

Brianna Bohlen – Staunton Elementary School

Ms. Bohlen is every kid’s favorite teacher. She’s kind, fair, and makes learning fun. She truly loves her job and it shows!

Edward Hirschl – Staunton Elementary School

Mr. Hirschl makes school fun again. This is my sons first year in Staunton school and he is having the best year of his life. Mr. Hirschl knows that kids need to be kids and allows them to have a good play/school balance.

Kelli Caldieraro – Staunton Elementary School

She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she truly cares about the students that she teaches and she makes every day fun! She has a heart of gold and deserves to be recognized!

Staunton Junior High School- Staunton, IL

Karen Brown – Staunton Junior High School

Mrs. Brown is my grandson Joseph’s personal aide. Her ability to love and support him and all the students that my grandson comes into contact each day is amazing. Her dedication to my grandson’s well-being is nothing short of a gift from God. I absolutely believe she should be recognized as Teacher of the Year because she goes beyond teaching my grandson. Her love for him and the advocacy that she has for his development is monumental! She is a gift for all children with special needs.

Staunton High School- Staunton, IL

Steven Shor – Staunton High School

He teaches multiple subjects and still manages to have time for the kids. He always has an open ear for anyone that needs an adult figure or anyone to talk to. He’s super helpful and understanding for kids that need help in a certain subject he teaches. He deserves this award!

Tamra Johnston – Staunton High School

Tamra is very dedicated to her students, her co-workers, and her community. She is an outstanding special-ed teacher, and she goes above and beyond her duties.

Tim Smiddy – Staunton High School

Mr. Smiddy goes above and beyond each year. He instills lifelong lessons into his student’s minds and he is truly one of kind! The students, without knowing, learn respect from him!

Trimpe Middle School- Bethalto, IL

April Wrenn – Trimpe Middle School

I am nominating Miss Wrenn because she is a very trusting, hardworking, and a very kind human being. She is the best teacher that is always there to help you out whenever you need it. She is very funny and always finds a way to make anything we are working on in her class fun. She deserves this award!

Beth Bequette – Trimpe Middle School

She takes the time to get to know the whole student and whole person. She is their biggest cheerleader, challenges them, and makes math fun. She is a great teacher and a great person.

Beth Schaft – Trimpe Middle School

I picked Mrs. Schaft because she is very helpful and a caring teacher! She deserves to be recognized for the work that she puts in every day!

Cody Moore – Trimpe Middle School

He is the best teacher that plays guitar and has us do fun activities in the classroom! He tells us interesting travel stories and is great at connecting with all of us on a personal level. He deserves this award!

Dee Haar – Trimpe Middle School

Dee Haar loves her students like they are her own. She goes out of her way to come to non-school events and connects with her students on a personal level. She deserves to be recognized!

Derek Haar – Trimpe Middle School

He is the best teacher that makes me smile in his class every day. He is also super funny and makes class fun! He deserves this award!

Jennifer Gowin – Trimpe Middle School

She is really nice and kind! She is really helpful to her students with work in eagle time. She is the best teacher that deserves to be recognized!

Kariann Wineland- Trimpe Middle School

I would like to nominate Mrs. Wineland because I believe that she deserves this award for her outstanding kindness towards the other teachers and students. Also, I believe that her effort to try and help students get great grades in school is amazing! I would also like to say that she is serious yet funny while handling her student’s behavior and I do appreciate her very lean policy on turning in work. For these reasons I believe that Mrs. Wineland should be nominated for this award.

Kassidy Cottingham – Trimpe Middle School

She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she always keeps her calm and gives off a positive attitude. She always helps the students with the lessons they don’t understand. She truly cares about the students that she teaches every day.

Marissa Banovz – Trimpe Middle School

I’m nominating Mrs. Banovz because she works very hard and is extremely nice to the students that she teaches. She also explains difficult material to the students in an easy fashion. She deserves this award!

Matt Carmody – Trimpe Middle School

Mr. Carmody is the greatest teacher by far. He is so dedicated to making the school an entertaining place and makes sure the students learn several new things! He deserves to be recognized for all he does!

Matthew Juergemeier – Trimpe Middle School

He deserves to be Teacher of the Year because he very respectful and nice to his students. He always listens to what they have to say. He is very deserving of this award!

Peter Midgley – Trimpe Middle School

Mr. Midgley is a teacher that I had been hearing great things about for years. I had several siblings and older friends telling me about how kind he is and how he is such an amazing art teacher. It was so exciting to finally be able to meet him after years of hearing so many positive things. During the third quarter, I was able to experience his art class myself, and let me tell you, everything that people had said about him is more than true. He is an amazing art teacher and person and that is why he deserves this nomination.

Sarah Hughes – Trimpe Middle School

I am nominating this teacher because she is always there for her students and helps them in any way she can. She has a heart of gold and is very deserving of this award!

Suzie Moore – Trimpe Middle School

Suzie Moore is one of the sweetest teachers that would drop anything for her students. She deserves to be recognized as Teacher of the Year!

Tiffany Perry – Trimpe Middle School

She deserves this award because she always would help me with the lessons that I was confused or had questions on. She was very understanding and helpful in the classroom.

Zachary Klaustermeier – Trimpe Middle School

He is a really good teacher, good mentor, and a good coach that believes in his students and players. He deserves to be recognized as Teacher of the Year!

Wolf Ridge Elementary School- Bunker Hill, IL

Brendan Magruder – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

After several years of “not so normal” school years, it has been a blessing to have Mr. Magruder as our daughter’s teacher! He brings the classroom environment together like a family, where the students can share weekly pictures of their pets and take time to hear/share about their weekly family activities. He takes note of each child’s interests and builds classroom conversations around them. It also makes a huge difference when Mr. Magruder jokes with the class – these kids need to laugh more than ever before. A huge thank you to him and everything he does, not only for our daughter, but for all of the students in 4th grade!

Dawn Gockel-Jones – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

My day is better when Ms. Gockel is there by me. She is very reassuring and encouraging. She gets to know her students very well and always lends an ear to listen. Ms. Gockel is the absolute best teacher because she takes the time to hear about her student’s interests and life outside of school. She is a favorite of mine and many others!

Katie Sutton – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Ms. Sutton is a big supporter of her students! She is at every game and always cheers us on. She also listens to what we have to say and jokes around with us. She deserves this award more than anyone!

Michelle Dugan – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

This school year has been just as challenging as last year, even more so when you consider the learning loss that our children are dealing with. Mrs. Dugan is kind, patient and challenging. She understands that sometimes we have difficulties, but she doesn’t let her students think that means they don’t have personal responsibilities. She also takes the time to genuinely get to know them and their interests and tries to make learning fun based on that.

Misty Perez – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

We are lucky to nominate Mrs. Perez this year for Madison’s Teacher of the Year! Going through the stresses and challenges of the last several years, Mrs. Perez still comes to school focused and ready to help each student succeed in both fourth grade classrooms! A favorite of our daughter’s year has been the Poetry Slam Day – a day where the students could share their own Poetry while celebrating everyone’s writing creativity. Mrs. Perez finds fun ways to engage the students, which can be difficult at times after the students, have experienced a great amount of learning remotely the last two years. Keep being creative and fun!

Rita Craig – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

After 32 years of teaching Mrs. Craig still makes learning fun! She deserves to be recognized for all of the hard work she has put in over the years! She is the best!

Suzanne Rull – Wolf Ridge Elementary School

Suzanne Rull truly cares about the students that she teaches. She will go out of her way to make sure that they receive the help that they need to fully understand the lessons taught. She is all around a great teacher!

Worden Elementary School- Worden, IL

Beth Langendorf – Worden Elementary School

This school year has been challenging to say the least. There have been so many changes throughout the year and Mrs. Langendorf made those changes look easy, even though I’m sure they were difficult on her. This was our first year having to do any remote learning as well and again Mrs. Langendorf made those transitions seamless from in-person to remote or vice versa. She is calm and patient with her students and she takes the extra time and steps to help them succeed. She is an excellent communicator and works with the parents to ensure their children are getting the best education. So very grateful for her and the staff at Worden Elementary.

Zion Lutheran School- Bethalto, IL

Autumn Reed – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Reed does amazing with making each kid feel special. She had many “obstacles” that she had to overcome this year. She has an exceptional way of handling situations in the moment. I’ve never seen someone handle challenging behaviors like she does and it doesn’t even phase her. Her teaching methods are unique and helpful to each child specifically. One thing I love about her teaching style is her use of Occupational Therapy techniques every day. She is so knowledgeable on adaptive strategies and equipment and supplies to make sure each student is performing at their best. She is such a role model for the kids and other teachers.

Holly Rupprecht – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Rupprecht is the epitome of a kindergartner teacher. She took COVID challenges and made her classroom function seamlessly. Every student has a place in her classroom, and it shows through the interactions between the students. She is the warmth that our littles need as they transition to grade school, but also the guiding light to show them independence. From building igloos from boxes to hatching baby chicks, she has a unique ability to make learning fun. Mrs. Rupprecht is the kind of teacher that leaves an imprint on a child’s heart.

Jackie Lerner – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Lerner is such a gentle and kind teacher. She does special things for her class and goes out of her way to be generous to everyone around her. She has been a rock for her preschool students as well. Especially in today’s world, it is a blessing to feel that your child is in amazing hands all day all while soaking up education from a role model they look up to. Our daughter now wants to be a teacher, like Mrs. Lerner, when she grows up. Mrs. Lerner has clearly left a positive impact on our small child and for that we are thankful.

Jeanne Schultz – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Schultz has been an amazing teacher this year preparing young students for life in a Kindergarten classroom. Often times I feel like the preschool teachers are overlooked, but their job is a BIG one. Especially in today’s current situations. Mrs. Schultz has done a spectacular job of balancing pandemic life with giving tiny students real life experiences. She is so thoughtful of how she schedules their time and keeps them in small groups and honestly, I don’t think the students even know how hard she is trying. She is so incredibly friendly and welcoming. She has really set the tone for her student’s future in learning. I wish that everyone could have a preschool teacher like Mrs. Schultz at Zion Lutheran in Bethalto. They would be better prepared for school, they would feel loved and seen, and their parents would feel confident in all at their kiddo is receiving at school.

Kimberly Griffith – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Griffith spends time working with all grades. To teach multiple grades requires extra patience, extra creativity, and extra planning. Our kids enjoy her classes. It’s a good feeling when the kids come home and talk about school with a positive reflection of their day. She always greets us and our children with a kind hello.

Laura Dain – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Miss Dain genuinely cares for her students and takes the time to get to know them as individuals. She is able to see their strengths and their opportunities for growth. When our children were experiencing the loss of some of their loved ones, she shared her personal book collection with us to help them understand and give us tools to communicate with them. She sees a need and she helps. We appreciate the extra effort she puts in to communicate with us about both happenings in the classroom and anything regarding our individual children.

Lauren Jost – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Anytime I have been in contact with my daughter’s teacher, Mrs. Jost, she has been kind and welcoming. She has a kind personality that I know her students connect with. She works to help our daughter stay organized and to keep her students engaged in learning. In addition to what she does from day-to-day, I am grateful for her contact and communication while our daughter was in quarantine. I know our daughter is safe, loved, and learning when she is in Mrs. Jost’s classroom.

Mardelle Meyer – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Meyer is an excellent preschool teacher. She has helped my daughter learn both academically and socially. She’s kind, loving, and caring. She deserves this award!

Megan Pfeiffer – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Pfeiffer goes above and beyond for her students. She stays after class to help with math and other things that a student is struggling with. She makes videos to share with them on their chrome books to watch when doing their homework. She truly cares for each student. She takes the time to listen to them and help with issues they may be having with other students and such. She truly has a passion to teach our kids. Mrs. Pfeiffer has also coached sports teams this year and has been a great inspiration to the girl’s team. Mrs. Pfeiffer is in constant communication with us (parents) about our children as well! We all love her, thank you.

Sara Buckley – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Sara has taught all three of my children. When she had my oldest, she was the first teacher to really connect with this very shy and quiet child. She worked with us to get him the help he needed at that time to be more successful in school and socially. She now has my twins and when they fell far behind after being out of school with COVID and then a family tragedy all in same month, she worked with them after school daily until they were caught up. She supports my son who sometimes struggles socially due to his unusual interests and behaviors; she is careful to make him feel loved and supported.

Sarah Lorenz – Zio Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Lorenz should be the next Teacher of the Year because she takes the time to learn about each of her students and finds ways to make learning fun! She truly cares about her students and is invested in their lives. First, she inspires all students to learn and encourages her students to read. She provides them multiple opportunities to read books they are interested in. Second, she is well known in the community and takes on many different volunteer activities. For example, she leads the school choir, coaches boys’ volleyball, and directs the K-5 musical. And finally, she values positive relationships. Mrs. Lorenz is an amazing teacher, and I am so glad my daughter has the opportunity to learn under her direction this year.

Sherry Brueck – Zion Lutheran School – Bethalto

Mrs. Brueck is one of the nicest and most caring teachers in the area. My daughter is in her kindergarten class, and in the beginning of the school year, we realized that she was severely allergic to tree nuts. With Mrs. Brueck as her teacher, I never have to worry about her accidentally coming in contact with a tree nut. Every time her class is served a special snack, Mrs. Brueck always messages me and gets my approval, and she even carries around a special bag with an epipen “just in case”. I know she always goes above and beyond for all her students in her class, not just my daughter. My daughter was extremely timid starting Kindergarten, and now she loves school so much, she begs to go during the weekends. Mrs. Brueck is amazing, I wish we could have her every year.