Arlington Hts. educators named Hearts of Gold winners
Two District 25 educators will receive Hearts of Gold honors in Arlington Heights:
Nicki Koch, Educator
On a dreary Wednesday morning in January, a new student walked into Greenbrier Elementary School with some nerves.
This student was set to begin his first day in the Early Childhood program with Nicki Koch as his teacher. He was in great hands.
Met with an enthusiastic "Hi!" and a big hug, this student exhaled his nerves away and started getting familiar with his surroundings.
"I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher," Koch said. "While in high school, I knew that I wanted to teach young children. In college, I knew that I wanted to teach young children with special needs. AHSD 25's Early Childhood program has allowed me the opportunity to do what I have always wanted to do, everyday."
This is not a one-off, unique interaction in Koch's classroom. This feeling of comfort, connection, ease and warmness is felt every day by Koch's students.
"Seeing kids smiling and giggling, having fun in the classroom, lights me up," Koch said. "I feel like I can help children, many of whom this is their first school experience, to be excited about school and encourage a love of learning."
Nicki Koch has been a teacher in the Early Childhood program for District 25 for 22 years. She will receive the Arlington Heights Hearts of Gold honor Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Educator category.
Pat Sturgeon, Community Spirit
Pat Sturgeon could go unnoticed in a classroom for an entire day; that is because she is so skilled at her job.
Sturgeon is a teaching assistant at Patton Elementary School, where her role as an educator is to shadow a student as that student goes about his/her day. Sturgeon needs to be a fly on the wall until she is needed to spring into action and provide the space and support her student needs.
This can be anything from helping with a math problem, to providing emotional support, to assisting with a logistical component of a day.
"Working one on one, as well as with small groups, is a pleasure that is rarely afforded to a classroom teacher," Sturgeon said. "It is exciting to be a part of a student's discovery of a tidbit of knowledge and the thrill of their learning."
Sturgeon's history in education, and here in Arlington Heights, extends back to the mid-1970s. Her passion - and reason for her passion - remains the same.
"Seeing their (students') eyes sparkle with new understanding is truly a joy," Sturgeon said.
Sturgeon's impact extends beyond the walls of Patton, as she supports her church's Sunday school, the nonprofit organization 4-H, the Community and Economic Development Association, and Faith Community Homes, as well as countywide with the Cook County Expansion Review Committee.
Sturgeon will receive the Arlington Heights Hearts of Gold honor Feb. 15 under the Community Spirit category.
"It is a great honor to be recognized by the Village of Arlington Heights and the Special Events Commission as a Hearts of Gold winner," Sturgeon said.
"I feel that community service is part of my life's work. For that reason, I appreciate the recognition if it encourages others to give back to our community.
• Submit 'Your News' at www.dailyherald.com/share.