Kane County's top educators for 2015 honored

Sherry Douglas is known for being tirelessly dedicated to her students, dependable, a solid resource, and a pleasure to work with.

Douglas, who teaches science at Westfield Community School in Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300, is Kane County's Educator of the Year.

She was among nine top educators honored by the Kane County Regional Office of Education at its 40th annual Educator of the Year Awards banquet Friday night at the Q Center in St. Charles.

Douglas inspires students through her science labs and intriguing curriculum, and also is involved with helping students outside of the classroom. "She goes to great lengths to find resources for students in need, like winter clothing, and health care and mental health programs. Sherry also sets the bar high by sharing lesson plans and leaving encouraging voice mails for her co-workers and staff," according to her nomination booklet.

As part of the award, Douglas will receive a $3,000 grant for her school district.

Awards also were presented for top educators in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as school administrator, student support personnel, early career educator, preschool, and educational service personnel.

Recipients and some reasons why they were nominated are:

• Regional Superintendent Award - Martha Behlow, French teacher at Geneva High School, Geneva Unit District 304: "Hands-on approach to education, from culinary lessons to singing and dancing."

• Elementary School Teacher of the Year - Susan Bruno, fourth-grade teacher at John W. Gates Elementary School, East Aurora Unit District 131: "By bringing the real world to her classroom, the students become well-rounded citizens of the world."

• Middle School Teacher of the Year - Stephen Renne, history teacher at Hampshire Middle School, District 300: "His proactive approach has resulted in efficient meetings, effective team planning, and positive outcomes for both students and teachers."

• High School Teacher of the Year - Bryan Kunstman, music teacher at Kaneland High School, Kaneland Unit District 302: "With 15 musicals, 65 evenings of madrigal dinners and more than 100 madrigal performances under his belt, Kaneland's choir has served as an example for music education programs at Northwestern and Northern Illinois University."

• School Administrator of the Year - Alicia Honnert, assistant principal of Thompson Middle School, St. Charles Unit District 303: "As the district coordinator for Advancement Via Industrial Determination, Alicia established a program that supports students for college placement and success."

• Educational Service Personnel of the Year - Michelle Lage, paraprofessional at Alice Gustafson Elementary School, Batavia Unit District 101: "She is a great person to talk to if you're sad or feeling down. She is great at dealing with special needs kids because she is so gentle and caring," wrote a fourth-grader in her nomination booklet.

• Student Support Personnel of the Year - Janice Finke, computer specialist and technician at St. Charles North High School, District 303: "Understanding technology is one thing, but the ability to convey a variety of concepts to a staff and students takes the patience and dedication that Janice possesses."

• Early Career Educator of the Year - James Buckwalter, Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Pingree Grove: "I believe the highest praise that you can give a teacher is saying that you wish that person could teach your own children."

Organizers recognized all 44 distinguished educators who were nominated from District 300, St. Charles 303, Batavia 101, Geneva 304, Kaneland 302 and East Aurora 131. Nominees were selected by committees of teachers and administrators.

"Each year, student teachers, retired teachers, university representatives, business representatives and national board certified teachers come together and review all nominations," Regional Superintendent Patricia Dal Santo said. "Judging was based on evidence of activity and dedication in schools and communities, leadership, and the superior ability to inspire the love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities."

Those retiring from education this school year also were recognized with a lapel pin.

There were some notable exceptions among this year's nominees.

Elgin Area School District U-46, the state's second-largest school district serving more than 40,000 students in Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, and West Aurora School District 129 did not submit any nominations this year, said Ellen Kamps, communications coordinator for the regional office of education.

U-46 spokeswoman Shannon Mortimer said participation in the awards is voluntary.

"U-46 widely promotes the opportunity to all schools, but (we) recognize that a nomination takes time and must be done by colleagues," she said. "Some years we have little or no response, some years we have nominees and attendance at the banquet, and some years we have winners, including the Educator of the Year winner. It simply varies from year to year."

Participation from private schools also was lacking this year.

"We're going to try to reach out to private schools next year to get them involved," Kamps said. "We welcome any school within Kane County. We're always excited to recognize the amazing educators that we have here."

Kane County Educator of the Year nominees

• Elementary: Susan Bruno, general education and English as a Second Language, Gates Elementary, East Aurora School District 131; Jessica Dixon, Kaneland John Shields Elementary School, Kaneland Unit District 302; Maria Navarro, bilingual literacy, Parkview Elementary, Community Unit District 300; Thomas Robertson, kindergarten, Cambridge Lakes Charter School, District 300; and Jessica Weir, fifth grade, Lincoln Prairie Elementary School, District 300.

• Middle school: Sherry Douglas, science, Westfield Community School, District 300; Sharon Marcellis, math, Harter Middle School, District 302; Kathaleen O'Brien, English language arts and reading, Cowherd Middle School, District 131; and Stephen Renne, social studies and AVID, Hampshire Middle School, District 300.

•High school: Martha Behlow, French, Geneva High School, Geneva Unit District 304; Kenneth Gerk, social studies and consumer education, East Aurora High School, District 131; Bethany Herrera, psychology, St. Charles North High School, St. Charles Unit District 303; Katie Keller, physical education, Batavia High School, Batavia Unit District 101; Bryan Kunstman, music, choral director/fine arts department chairman, Kaneland High School, District 302; Steven Matthies, chemistry, honors and physics, St. Charles East High School, District 303; and Pierre Thorsen, social studies, Jacobs High School, District 300.

• School administrator: John Baird, assistant superintendent K-12 operations, District 303; Charles Bumbales, assistant superintendent of operations, District 300; Craig Collins, assistant superintendent of human resources, District 304; Alicia Honnert, assistant principal, Thompson Middle School, District 303; Melissa Jackson, supervisor/program coordinator, Mid-Valley Special Education; Martne McCoy, principal, Kaneland Blackberry Creek, District 302; and Maureen Sauter-Taylor, assistant principal, Dieterich Elementary, District 131.

• Student support personnel: Alma Auchstetter, translator/family liaison, Lakewood School, District 300; Janice Finke, computer support specialist, St. Charles North High School, District 303; James Hawkins, counselor, St. Charles East High School, District 303; Colleen Kelso, guidance counselor, East Aurora High School, District 131; Loretta McGough Ruh, Library Media Center director, Heartland Elementary, District 304; and Pat Stacey, Learning Resource Center director/media specialist, Thompson Middle School, District 303.

• Preschool: Darlyne Dwyer, special education, Kaneland Blackberry Creek, District 302; and Christina Morton, early childhood, Early Childhood Development, District 131.

• Early career educator: James Buckwalter, middle school language arts, Cambridge Lakes Charter School, District 300; Curt Dedic, science, Jacobs High School, District 300; and Zachary Sipes, math, East Aurora High School, District 131.

• Educational service: Cynthia Bullis, principal's secretary, Meadowdale Elementary, District 300; Lora Garrison, human resources coordinator, District 300; Patricia Hammersmith, support staff, Lake in the Hills Elementary, District 300; Ann Janson, instructional assistant, Harrison Street Elementary, District 304; Michelle Lage, paraprofessional, Alice Gustafson School, District 101; Kim Mundt, principal's assistant, East Aurora High School, District 131; Ofelia Oliveros, custodian, St. Charles North High School, District 303; Da na Pederson, preschool assistant/executive director, Cambridge Lakes Charter School, District 300; Isabel Schmalzer, paraprofessional, Grace McWayne School, District 101; and Caryn Spitzzeri, support staff, Harter Middle School, District 302.