Mundelein, Buffalo Grove teachers earn Archdiocese awards

Teachers from Mundelein and Buffalo Grove are among the 18 teachers, administrators and staff members from across the Archdiocese of Chicago's 217 Catholic schools selected as 2017 Heart of the School Award winners.

The annual awards honor outstanding Catholic school employees. More than 545 nominations were received this year and the winners were selected based on their outstanding contributions to the schools and the students they serve.

Sharon Smogor, social studies teacher, Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, received the Heart of Connection Award. Recipients of the award recognize that the school is part of a greater community, and actively seek to build connections between the community and the school.

Erica Massarelli, a fourth-grade teacher at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove, received the Heart of the Future Award, which recognizes employees who have worked in education for three years or less and demonstrate outstanding excellence, leadership and service.