ISBE Recognition
Since 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has sponsored the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2024 THOSE WHO EXCEL & TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
ApplicatIONS due: October 15 at 11:59 pm CST
ApplicatIONS due: October 15 at 11:59 pm CST
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2024 THOSE WHO EXCEL & TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
ApplicatIONS due: October 15 at 11:59 pm CST![]()
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2024 THOSE WHO EXCEL & TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS!
ApplicatIONS due: October 15 at 11:59 pm CST
ApplicatIONS due: October 15 at 11:59 pm CST
Join ISBE in celebrating the accomplishments of stellar educators across the state by nominating your colleagues and community members for the 2024 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. Anyone may submit nominations, and there is no limit to the number of nominations that can be submitted by a person, school, or district. It takes only five minutes to submit a nomination that could lead to your staff and schools being recognized with the highest educational honor in the state.
Nominations are optional and only upon successful completion of the subsequent application materials by the applicant will applicant be eligible for an award.
Professional Categories:
- Teachers - Teachers with five or more years of teaching experience (including the current school year)
- Early Career Educators - Teachers with less than five years of experience (including the current school year)
- Administrators - Superintendent, principal, assistant principal, etc.
- Student Support Personnel - School nurse, psychologist, social worker, school counselor, speech/language therapist, dean, librarian, etc.
- Educational Service Personnel - Aides/paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodians, administrative assistants, support professionals, bus drivers, resource officers, etc.
- Community Volunteers - Parent teacher association members, school board members, or any individuals not employed by the school/district, who positively contribute time and energy to their school/district
- Teams - A group of individuals from any combination of the above categories that positively contributes time and energy to their school/district
nomination/application process
nomination/application process![]()
nomination/application process
NOMINATE:
- Submit a nomination of any individual to fill out an application by completing this short questionnaire.
Once you have nominated an individual, that individual will receive an email from ISBE inviting them to ISBE’s website to submit their application and required materials.
SELF-SUBMIT:
APPLICATIONS DUE:
- All application materials need to be submitted to ISBE by 11:59pm on October 15th to be eligible for an award.
award types
award types![]()
award types
Award of Special Recognition
- Connected with their school community and made a positive impact. Those who work closely with these educators can attest to their skills, passions, and talents.
Award of Meritorious Service
- Shaped their school community for the better. These educators frequently employ their talents and passions, but also strive to be of service in unfamiliar domains. They have taken on leadership opportunities and their accomplishments are known and valued by multiple populations: colleagues, students, parents, and school leaders.
Award of Excellence
- Greatly improved their school community by advocating for positive change and have shared opportunities for improvement with colleagues. These educators are lifelong learners, striving to partner with and be of service to all students, staff, and community members. They regularly collaborate with colleagues, students, parents, and school leaders across all departments and teams. These educators have become an integral member of their departments and larger school culture.
ISBE RECOGNITION ARCHIVE
ISBE RECOGNITION ARCHIVE![]()
ISBE RECOGNITION ARCHIVE
Samantha Sinovich (SB)
Administrator
Administrator
Meritorious Service
2022-2023
Diana Calvillo (HC)
Early Career Educator
Early Career Educator
Meritorious Service
2022-2023
Barbara Richmond (TW)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2022-2023
B.I.O.N.I.C., Believe It or Not I Care (OHS)
Team
Team
Recognition
2022-2023
Anna Gibson (OP)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2021-2022
Alexis Harlow (OE)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2021-2022
Ashley Porras (GP)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2021-2022
Theresa Komitas (DAC)
Administrator
Administrator
Meritorious Service
2021-2022
Jennifer Pienkos (DAC)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Meritorious Service
2021-2022
Food Pantry Team: Heidi Podjasek (DAC); Elizabeth Palatine (PT)
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2021-2022
Tyler S. Haymond (PL)
Administrator
Administrator
Meritorious Service
2020-2021
Alexandra M. Wooden (BH)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2020-2021
Joshua R. Johnson (TR)
Early Career Educator
Early Career Educator
Meritorious Service
2020-2021
Kathleen Lynn Lund (SLP)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Meritorious Service
2020-2021
Jacquie Bucher (PL Parent)
Community Volunteer
Community Volunteer
Meritorious Service
2020-2021
Oswego East Wolf Parents Team: June Charlett, Lisa Crispi, and others
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2020-2021
Margaret Darnell (OE)
Administrator
Administrator
Recognition
2019-2020
Robyn Schmidt (PT)
Educational Service Personnel
Educational Service Personnel
Meritorious Service
2019-2020
Briget Bois (TH)
Teacher
Teacher
Recognition
2019-2020
Murphy AVID Site Team: Brian Falli, Elizabeth Fell, Michael Gerl, Cynthia Miller, Elizabeth Ramsbottom, Sarah Vihnanek, Kelly Waldron, Kristen Walsh
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2019-2020
Rebecca Wood (CH)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Recognition
2019-2020
Dr. Patti Marcinko (OH)
Administrator
Administrator
Award of Excellence
2018-2019
Rebecca Corradi (Transportation)
Educational Service Personnel
Educational Service Personnel
Award of Excellence
2018-2019
Karen Ferguson (OH)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2018-2019
Oswego High School English Learner Team: Jacklyn King, Brenna Murphy, Maureen Terwelp, Lirio Ramirez, Jeffrey Schneider, Patti Marcinko, Marycruz Velazquez
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2018-2019
Paul Magnuson (PT)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Recognition
2018-2019
Dr. Lindsay Allen (SB)
Administrator
Administrator
Meritorious Service
2017-2018
Joy Varney
Teacher
Teacher
Recognition
2017-2018
Oswego East Custodial & Maintenance Team: Greg Anderson, Joseph Arteaga, Kim Chapman, Theresa Collins, Dean Collins, Rosemary Decker, Robert Hodel, Stephen Hutchings, John Lasky, Ana Lepe, Kenneth Lesley, Sarah Iovino, Joseph Mikalajunas, Jay Murray, Jeff Murray, Rosalio Nevarez, Mike Rubolino, Nick Sassanelli, Lily Silva, Carrie Sosh, Norma Stiles, Diane Thompson, William Tiffin, Bart Washington, Jua Zarate
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2017-2018
Alma Binkowski (DAC)
Education Service Personnel
Education Service Personnel
Meritorious Service
2017-2018
Dr. Judy Wilson
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Recognition
2017-2018
Dr. Heidi Podjasek (PT)
Administrator
Administrator
Award of Excellence
2016-2017
Joshua Salisbury (TH)
Educational Service Personnel
Educational Service Personnel
Meritorious Service
2016-2017
Literacy Specialists Team: Becky Meixensperger, Laurie Klose, Kelly Schultz, Gina Gordey, Joan Mundsinger, Rebecca Monjaraz, Luann Gerth, Jenna Lockhart, Alison Tworek, Anna Gibson, Maureen Dehler, Stephanie Townsend, Allison Anderson, Amy Ross, Erin Gleason, Elizabeth Harsock
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2016-2017
Jade Cromer (BH)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Recognition
2016-2017
Laura Pastirik-Bankowski (OE)
Administrator
Administrator
Meritorious Service
2015-2016
Janice D'Ambrosia (PT)
Educational Service Personnel
Educational Service Personnel
Meritorious Service
2015-2016
Pam Phelps (OH)
Teacher
Teacher
Award of Excellence/Teacher of the Year Finalist
2015-2016
Gap Closers Team (FC): Candace Popp, Stephanie Scherer
Team
Team
Recognition
2015-2016
Shannon Thies (FC)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Meritorious Service
2015-2016
Heather Kraus (SB)
Teacher
Teacher
Award of Excellence/Teacher of the Year Finalist
2014-2015
Gina Parks (LB)
Teacher
Teacher
Recognition
2014-2015
Uzma Rahman (WC)
Educational Service Personnel
Educational Service Personnel
Award of Excellence
2014-2015
Tracy Zalud (CH)
Early Career Educator
Early Career Educator
Meritorious Service
2014-2015
Traughber JH Response to Intervention Team: Natasha St. Victor, Erica Neville, Brian Falli, Lara Biltgen-Morrissette, Debra Gomez, Jeannine Czekanski
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2014-2015
Mutual Ground, Inc./Rhonda Annala
Community/Team
Community/Team
Recognition
2014-2015
Susan Stangland (OH)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2013-2014
Churchill Elementary Team: Tammie Harmon Casey O'Connell
Team
Team
Award of Excellence
2013-2014
Jana Gorman (DAC)
Educational Service Personnel
Educational Service Personnel
Recognition
2012-2013
Amy Truemper (BE)
Teacher
Teacher
Meritorious Service
2012-2013
Corie Folley (TH)
Student Support Personnel
Student Support Personnel
Recognition
2012-2013
Todd Colvin
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2011-2012
Amanda Inglese
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2011-2012
Dan Okoren
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2011-2012
Erin Raleigh
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2011-2012
Traughber JH Secretarial Team
Team
Team
Meritorious Service
2011-2012
Comprehensive Strategy Training Team
Team
Team
Award of Excellence
2010-2011
June Charlett
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2010-2011
Nathan Eimer
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2010-2011
Dale Lackey
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2010-2011
Patti J. Marcinko
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Award of Excellence
2010-2011
Jeffrey Schafermeyer
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Award of Excellence
2010-2011
Marie S. Strejc-Wood
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2010-2011
Homestead Elementary Pupil Personnel Services Team
Team
Team
Recognition
2009-2010
Catherine G. Meumaw
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Outstanding
2009-2010
Jeremy S. Ricken
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2009-2010
Ann K. Rodman
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2009-2010
Cesar Zamor
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2009-2010
Bednarcik JH Differentiation Team
Team
Team
Recognition
2008-2009
Julie Devine
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2008-2009
Sharon L. Kahl
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2008-2009
Susan B. Fauth
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2007-2008
Arlene R. Smolich
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2007-2008
Pam Summitt
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Recognition
2007-2008
Amy B. Truemper
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Outstanding
2007-2008
H. Craig Watson
Not Indicated
Not Indicated
Meritorious Service
2007-2008
