Elementary/Early Childhood Category – Early Childhood teachers must spend 50% of their time in the classroom instructing children ages birth through kindergarten. Elementary school teachers must spend at least 50% of their time instructing children kindergarten through fifth grade. In Kane County there are 113 elementary school buildings serving over 52,000 students. The nominees are:

• Ann Butcher, District 129, Fearn Elementary, STEM Teacher
• Cynthia Babich, District 302, Kaneland Blackberry Creek Elementary, Classroom Teacher
• Elizabeth Reidl, District 304, Mill Creek Elementary, Learning Behavior Specialist
• Maira Martinez, District 131, Early Childhood Center, Bilingual Preschool Teacher
• Melissa McCarter, District 300, Cambridge Lakes Charter School, Elementary Spanish Teacher
• Michelle Vargas, District 131, Brady Elementary, 2nd Grade Dual Language (Spanish)

Middle School Category – Teachers must spend at least 50% of their time teaching in the classroom to children in 6th through 8th grade. In Kane County there are 30 middle school buildings serving over 28,000 students. The nominees are:

• Elisa Hunt, District 129, Herget Middle School, Band Director
• Kiel Douglass, District 131, Waldo Middle School, DREAMSS Special Education Teacher
• Michael Livorsi, District 302, Harter Middle School, Teacher & Exploratory Team Leader

Early Career Category – Recognizes teachers who are in their second to fifth year of teaching. The nominees are:

• Jordan Dulowski, District 304, Geneva High School, Mathematics Teacher
• Madison Mikos, District 129, West Aurora High School, Physical Education
• Mark Conning, U-46, South Elgin High School, CTE Teacher
• Michael Smith, District 303, Davis Primary School, Physical Education/Adapted Physical Education Teacher

High School Teacher Category – Teachers must spend more than 50% of their time teaching in the classroom to children in 9th through 12th grade. In Kane County there are 16 high school buildings serving over 36,000 students. The nominees are:

• Carrianne Pozzi, District 303, St. Charles North High School, English Instructor
• Daniel Ponczek, District 302, Kaneland High School, Mathematics Teacher
• Emma Cole, District 304, Geneva High School, Science Teacher & Activities Director
• Jonathan Vidrine, U-46, South Elgin High School, World Language Teacher
• Kathryn Hoving, District 300, Hampshire High School, English Teacher
• Kimberly Pearlman, District 101, Batavia High School, English Teacher
• Lori Palmer, District 131, East Aurora High School, Sheltered English Teacher
• Neil Currie, District 303, St. Charles East High School, Social Studies Teacher
• Teresa Towles, District 129, West Aurora High School, Teacher, Head Girls Track & Field Coach & Head Step Team Sponsor

School Administrator Category – School Administrators are the instructional leaders of their district. Principals, assistant principals, administrators, coordinators, and directors must spend 50% of their time on administrative duties. The nominees are:

• Anthony Venetico, U-46, South Elgin High School, Assistant Principal of STEM
• Charles Hiscock, District 129, West Aurora High School, Principal
• James Richter, District 303, Charles East High School, Principal
• Susan Harkin, District 300, District Superintendent
• Tom Rogers, District 304, Geneva High School, Principal
• Tonetta Davis, District 131, O’Donnell Elementary, Principal

Educational Service Personnel Category – These team members are critical to the operation of their schools. This category includes secretaries, bus drivers, aides, custodians and others that work in the district school system. The nominees are:

• Adam Bryl, U-46, South Elgin High School, Head Custodian
• Deborah Mickelson, District 129, Schneider Elementary, Paraprofessional
• Gina Mitchell, District 302, Harter Middle School, Program Paraprofessional
• Marilu Medina, District 131, East Aurora Extension, Custodian

Student Support Personnel Category – Student Support Personnel are certified professionals that support students throughout the school day. This category may include nurses, social workers, guidance counselors, psychologists, and media specialists. The nominees are:

• Anne Halsema, District 131, East Aurora High School, Social Worker
• Dominique Zewde, U-46, South Elgin High School, School Counselor
• Faye Licari, District 302, Kaneland School District, Instructional Technology Coach K-12

Private/Parochial Category – Any position from a private/parochial school. The nominees are:

• Christine Stuart, Immanuel Lutheran School, First Grade Teacher
• Sharon Elgar, Aurora Central Catholic High School, Science Teacher

Along with nominees, school district representatives are cordially invited to a formal dinner. Social hour begins at 5:30pm with dinner being served at 6:30pm. Tickets are available through local district offices beginning after April 7th.