The Kane County Educator of the Year Awards are an annual celebration of event is designed to honor the dedication, leadership, and inspiration that shape our schools and enriched the lives of our students. We pay tribute to the countless hours the Kane County educators have spent engaging and nurturing the minds of our future. This ceremony brings educators from all positions together with families, friends, colleagues, and their students for an unforgettable celebration.
This year marks the golden anniversary of these awards, and we are thrilled to open the nomination process. Click below to find a sample of our nomination packet as well a video resource to guide you through how to you through assembling the required nomination books.
Awards Banquet
Friday, May 1, 2026
Q Center, 1405 North Fifth Ave., St. Charles, Ill. 60174
Social Hour – 5:30 p.m. • Dinner – 6:50 p.m.
Nomination Form
Nomination Guidelines
Rubric
Superintendent
Approval Form
Local Nominating
Committee Form
- 2025-26: Gemma Gurney – D301
- 2023-24: Cyntha Martinez – D131
- 2022-23: Dr. Charles Hiscock – D129
- 2021-22: Jillian Yaggie – D302
- 2020-21: Susan Jones – D101
- 2018-19: Tina Scruggs – D301
- 2017-18: Kyle Libberton – D303
- 2016-17: Matt Gain – D304
- 2015-16: Holly Yee – U46
- 2014-15 Sherry L. Douglas – D300
- 2013-14: Carol A. Mertes – D131
- 2012-13: Anette Bliss – D301
- 2011-12: Edward W. Brouch – D131
- 2010-11: Dr. Denise M. Hobbs – D303
- 2009-10: Francisco de los Santos – D131
- 2008-09: Deborah Perryman – U46
- 2007-08: Terri Dawson – D300
- 2006-07: Donna Lynn Letzter – D129
- 2005-06: Paul R. Hardt – D300
- 2004-05: John Walker – D101
- 2003-04: Luis Cabrera – U46
- 2002-03: Dr. John Struck – D131
- 2001-02: Janet Hornbostel – D303
- 2000-01: William Kane DuBois – U46
- 1999-00: Becky Furnish – D304
- 1998-99: Mark Bettcher – D300
- 1997-98: Gwendolyn Miller – D131
- 1996-97: Susan Khalaieff – D304
- 1995-96: Ron O’Neal – U46
- 1994-95: Joan Brown – D300
- 1993-94: Jo Ann Zentz – D129
- 1992-93: Gary Jewel – D129
- 1991-92: Stan Sanderson – D300
- 1990-91: Liz Starnes – D300
- 1989-90: Yvonne Hollingsworth – D131
- 1988-89: Irwin Johnston – U46
- 1987-88: Rita Smith – D129
- 1986-87: Page McCloud – D101
- 1985-86: Mara Lapsa – D302
- 1984-85: Bonnie Bray – D302
- 1983-84: Ronald Babcock – D300
1982-83: Virginia French – D300 - 1981-82: Elaine Parker – D129
- 1980-81: Richard Johnson – D129
- 1979-80: James Valesano – D131
- 1978-79: Carol Ruby – D129
- 1977-78: Deane Westland – D303
- 1976-77: Harry Patterson – D129
- 1975-76: Robert Gemmer – D129
