Looking back on Daily Herald's 'Top Teachers' for 2015

We've all had teachers we will never forget.

They fueled our love for a particular subject, made learning fun or simply helped us believe in our own potential. Some of us were inspired to pursue careers because of the role a teacher played in our lives.

In 2015, Daily Herald readers were introduced to a dozen memorable educators through the newspaper's monthly The Suburbs' Top Teachers series.

Here's a look back at those teachers and why they're awesome:

• As an undergrad in college, Greg Sherwin thought he was going to get a business degree but ended up changing his major to education. Today, the social studies teacher at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire is known for making students eager to learn and opening their minds to a global perspective. For the full story on Sherwin, visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150112/news/150119955/.

• Tricia Baltzersen says she's loved books for as long as she can remember. Now the sixth-grade literacy teacher at Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills strives to get students excited about reading. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150209/news/150209171/.

• When Kristi Ryken isn't teaching science at Maine West High School, she's helping other educators expand their skills. As an instructional coach, Ryken conducts training sessions for fellow teachers at the high school in Des Plaines. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150307/news/150309173/.

• After 25 years of teaching first grade at Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Winfield, Sally Keith says some of her strengths are management and control of the classroom. "My approach, initially, is less academic and more relational, building in the routines and structures that they need," Keith said. "If you've done that, then the academic piece is easier." Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150413/news/150419869/.

• One of her students said Patty Welker "never fails to make class fun and something that I look forward to." It's high praise for the English teacher who spent her entire 35-year career at Kaneland High School in Maple Park. Welker retired at the end of May. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150511/news/150519955/.

• As a kid, Alessandra Kennedy taught lessons to neighborhood children in her native Rio de Janeiro. Kennedy uses her spirit and enthusiasm today as a fifth-grade teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Hoffman Estates. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150606/news/150609263/.

• Megan Sayre, a licensed clinical social worker, provides counseling and crisis intervention for regular and special education students at Grayslake North High School. But many have come to know her through activities and initiatives at the school, including the VOICES anti-bullying club. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150712/news/150719915/.

• Science teacher Sherry Douglas knows how to get students interested in what she's trying to teach them. "I inspire my kids to be curious about science by showing them how it applies in real world life," said Douglas, who teaches at Westfield Community School in Algonquin. Her success in the classroom earned her the 2015 Kane County Educator of the Year award. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150809/news/150819994/.

• Ben Loduha is championing the concepts of STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54. As the district's STEM instructional coach, Loduha assists other teachers and their students as they pursue various STEM projects. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20150913/news/150919719/.

• Leah Johnson, a science teacher at Naperville Central High School, spent two weeks of her summer aboard a research ship in the north Atlantic as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Teacher at Sea program. During the trip, she got to sort and measure fish to record the ages, genders and species of populations. She's now sharing what she's learned with her students. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20151012/news/151019757/.

• Justin Brennan left a career as a structural engineer to become a math teacher at St. Charles North High School. While he once thought engineering was the best real-world application of his passion for math, Brennan was drawn to the classroom. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20151109/news/151109218/.

• Elizabeth Blackwell Elementary School teacher Deb Davis interacts with students at their eye level. "You don't want to be the horrible person that's constantly looking down - they don't want that; they don't need that," said Davis, who teaches in a third- and fourth-grade classroom at the Schaumburg school. Visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20151214/news/151219710/.