Palatine instructor named Outstanding Teacher of the Year
On Saturday, April 8, Illinois PTA presented the Illinois PTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award 2017 to Jeff Zilke of Walter R Sundling Junior High of Palatine. The award was given during the 115th annual Illinois PTA Convention at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville.
The Illinois PTA recognizes that excellent teachers make a lasting impact on their students and demonstrate the mission of the PTA, "to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."
Teachers are an important part of the Parent Teacher Association, supporting the PTA while also advocating in the classroom for the students, families and the communities they serve.
The Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award recognizes excellence in service to the students, families and community of their PTA. They go above and beyond sharing their time and talents in service to others.
Zilke shares his passion for music and performance with his 120-plus students by encouraging them to be their best as a musician and as a person.
Sundling Principal Jason Deitz praised Zilke as "a true professional in all of his work, and always puts the student first. He works with his students to set short and long term goals and instills a strong work ethic, solid organizational skills, and the ability to always put forth best effort."
Zilke encourages parent involvement and engagement while still offering students the opportunity to learn independence.
Zilke coordinates a variety of opportunities for his students to learn and perform in and from those in the community: learning from guest conductors, playing at Veterans Day, for other schools, jazz band playing at Palatine High School and, on Oct. 28, the eighth-grade band performed "Go, Cubs, Go" at the Cubs World Series Rally, the morning of Game 3 of the Cubs World Series run outside Murphy's Bleachers on the Channel 9 Morning News.
Zilke offers not just music education, but so much more. Students who are often caught up in instant gratification learn that some things take time to learn, and that they must persevere, listen, and learn from those around them, work together, and always give the best of themselves.
Illinois PTA was founded on May 30, 1900, and has since worked diligently to support public schools and to ensure that all children and youth have equal opportunities and access to a quality education.
Illinois PTA is a statewide volunteer organization dedicated solely to the welfare of children and youth in the home, school, and community.
The Illinois PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is guided by an approved set of bylaws.
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