Kane County to recognize 41 outstanding educators May 4
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the 43rd annual Kane County Educator of the Year awards banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. May 4 at the Q Center, Fox River Ballroom, 1405 North Fifth St., St. Charles.
Forty-one outstanding educators will be honored at the 43rd annual Kane County Educator of the Year awards banquet May 4.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Q Center, Fox River Ballroom, 1405 North Fifth St., St. Charles. This year's nominees are:
Preschool: Karen Nellis, early childhood blended, Alice Gustafson Elementary, Batavia; Maira Roman, bilingual, Early Childhood Development Center, Aurora.
Elementary: Alma Colton, special education, Krug Elementary, Aurora; Mary Fulin, second grade, Otter Creek Elementary, Elgin; Katie Kennath, acceleration/enrichment, Harrison Street Elementary, Geneva; Ana Maldonado, second grade dual language, Hilltop Elementary, Elgin; Gina Di Palermo, reading specialist, Lincoln Elementary, St. Charles; Katie Reilley, reading/writing, Blackberry Creek, Elburn.
Middle school: Jeanne Fayhee, social studies, Sam Rotolo Middle School, Batavia; Beth Harner, special education, Dundee Middle School, West Dundee; Danielle Kamp, science, Cambridge Lakes Charter School, Pingree Grove; Christy Kukovec, math, Harter Middle School, Sugar Grove; Kristin Light, English language arts, Carpentersville Middle School; Michelle Wargo, math, Cowherd Middle School, Aurora.
High school: Lindsay Boynton, social studies, St. Charles North; Rachel Giles, English, Kaneland High, Maple Park; Kim Kalousek, special education/vocational, Larkin High, Elgin; Kyle Libberton, history/psychology, St. Charles East; Matt Love, math, West Aurora High; Sarah Meadows, physical education, Geneva High; Maya Raab, special education science, East Aurora High; Susan Zagorski, English language arts interventionist, Central High, Hampshire.
Administrator: Celia Banks, K-6 bilingual coordinator of English language arts/libraries, Elgin Area School District U-46; Lori Brandes, principal, Washington Elementary, Elgin; Lisa Dandre, assistant principal, St. Charles East; Fred Heid, superintendent, Community Unit District 300; Julie Leston, principal, Willard Elementary, South Elgin; Armando Rodriguez, assistant principal, Dieterich Elementary, Aurora.
Student support personnel: Michelle Lapacek, counselor, Cowherd Middle School, Aurora; Jennifer Leibforth, social worker, Geneva High; Denise Michels, counselor, Harter Middle School, Sugar Grove; Susan Prigge, social worker, St. Charles North.
Early career: Kyle Ahlmann, English language arts/social studies, Harter Middle School; Corinne Laird, English, Geneva High; Saul Olivas, bilingual, Johnson Elementary, Aurora.
Educational service personnel: Brittany Bailey-Cole, paraprofessional, Geneva High; Mona Fergus, Learning Resource Center secretary, John Shields Elementary, Sugar Grove; Carrie LaFreniere, administrative assistant, St. Charles North; Taurino Maldonado, special education paraeducator, Ellis Middle School, Elgin; Axa Marquez, program secretary, Early Childhood Center, Aurora.
Private/parochial school: Peggy Veltri, social studies/English, Elgin Academy.
The Educator of the Year will receive a $3,000 classroom grant. All nominees will be recognized as Distinguished Educators. Special recognition also will be given to retiring educators.
For details, visit kaneroe.org. Tickets for the event can be purchased through local school district offices.