U-46 library aide named IEA support professional of the year

Elgin Area School District U-46 Library Paraprofessional Karen Westerman was honored with the Illinois Education Association's 2014 Education Support Professional of the Year award last month.

Westerman, who works at Clinton and Hillcrest elementary schools, accepted the award during the IEA's annual representative assembly in Chicago.

"I would like to congratulate Karen on this well-deserved honor," said Superintendent José M. Torres. "Her hard work and passion for our students has led her to be recognized by her peers at the state level."

"Karen Westerman makes a positive contribution in the lives of students and her professional colleagues every day," said IEA President Cinda Klickna in a statement released by The IEA-NEA. "She is an advocate for great schools and healthy communities."

According to the release, Westerman's accomplishments include sponsoring Battle of the Books and initiating a mentor program for library paraprofessionals through her local association.

Westerman has served on the IEA ESP Council and is the ESP Region 63 Chair, which is the only IEA ESP region in Illinois. On the Illinois Education Association board of directors, she represents all four U-46 ESP locals including DUTU, ESSO, DUSA, and DUEA.

She has served as local president and vice president for the District U-46 Education Assistants She also is involved in Feed My Starving Children, Public Action to Deliver Shelter, Book Bus, local donation drives, Read Across America and community parades.

Westerman will serve as Illinois' nominee for the National Education Association ESP of the Year for 2015. She is the second U-46 ESP recognized by the IEA; the first was Nancy Kallenbach in 1996.