Des Plaines school mourns loss of teacher
Valerie Murdy regularly brought life lessons into the classroom, once turning the occasion of a student on the verge of U.S. citizenship into a class project.
She had her Iroquois Community School in Des Plaines class make signs and posters, and they had a party.
"It became a real classroom naturalization," Des Plaines Elementary District 62 spokeswoman Mindy Ward said.
Murdy's efforts earned a letter from the parent thanking her for making her child feel welcomed. It was just one example of Murdy's dedication to education and the children she taught over 30 years in her native Des Plaines.
Murdy, 55, died Monday after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by a son, daughter and granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, 766 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines.
Murdy, a Maine West High School graduate, joined District 62 after earning a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University in 1974. She also earned a master's degree from Concordia University.
Murdy started as a special education teacher at Cumberland School. From 1975 to 1978, she taught kindergarten and second grade at Forest School, then returned to Cumberland, where she taught special and general education classes. In 1997, Murdy came to Iroquois Community to serve as one of the yearlong school's founding staff members.
Murdy taught at Iroquois this year until her health worsened. Just last week, she requested her students' special education plans while she was hospitalized.
Murdy in 2005 earned a nomination for a Golden Apple Award.
"We are thankful for her many years of dedication and service to the boys and girls in District 62. We know that she loved this district, our students and her fellow colleagues," District 62 Superintendent Jane Westerhold said.
Her colleagues at Iroquois remembered her fondly on Monday.
"She was a very powerful presence in the building. Teachers … all followed her lead," Principal Dan Johnson said.
Tom Ray, an Iroquois teacher who worked with Murdy for 14 years, said she touched everyone she met.
"She was one of the finest teachers I've ever met. She cared deeply about her kids and always put their interests first," Ray said. "It's really difficult to express the gift she was in one or two words."