District 54 teacher named one of state's best

For the second straight year, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 can boast it has a teacher who's one of the best of the best.

Renae Kraetsch, a reading recovery teacher at Einstein Elementary School in Hanover Park, has been named one of eight finalists for this year's Illinois Teacher of the Year award.

"I am honored to be able to represent the district," she said.

As the reading recovery teacher, Kraetsch works one-on-one with low-achieving first-graders to help bring them up to their grade-level literacy expectations.

Kraetsch said she enjoys teaching so much because she can make a lifelong impact on her students.

"I just love the kids and helping them learn," she said.

District 54 Superintendent Ed Rafferty said it's Kraetsch's dedication, commitment and passion that make her an outstanding teacher.

"She is just awesome," he said.

Kraetsch was a special education teacher in Wisconsin before moving into District 54 three years ago.

One of her top accomplishments since was receiving a $9,000 grant from the Verizon Wireless Foundation to bring in more Spanish books to better serve the school's diverse population.

Among the other seven finalists for the teacher of the year award are Laura Stoppek, who teaches college-level history and psychology at Lincolnshire's Stevenson High School, and Naperville Central High's Patricia Adamatis, an adapted physical education teacher.

The finalists were chosen from a pool of 170 teachers nominated. A winner will be announced Oct. 13 in Decatur and will represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., and in the National Teacher of the Year program.

"What it all boils down to is how much they go above and beyond," said Ann Muraro of the Illinois State Board of Education, which bestows the teacher of the year honor. "For 365 days a year, they are out there and striving to help their kids learn in any way they can."

Last year, Michael Coy, an arts and communication teacher at District 54's Mead Junior High School in Elk Grove Village was a finalist for the teacher of the year.

Rafferty said the district is "thrilled" to have a finalist for the second year in a row.

In 2004, Elgin High School environmental science teacher Deb Perryman won the state's top teaching award. In 2003, Prospect High School's David Morrison received the honor for his work as band director.

And in 2002, physics teacher Robert Grimm from Palatine's William Fremd High School got the accolade.