Des Plaines teacher wins national award

A physical education/health teacher at Iroquois Community School in Des Plaines will receive the 2015 California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. Anne Beranek is among 39 teachers who will be honored at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 13, 2015. The teachers were nominated by their National Education Association state affiliates. Each educator's school will receive a $650 award. Five finalists will be eligible for $10,000 cash awards, and one grand prize winner will receive an additional $25,000, officials said.