Friday, May 2, 2025
Q Center l St. Charles, Ill.
This annual 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.
Staff at every school or district have their own process for nominating colleagues for these awards. Every committee or nominating body must follow the provided guidelines, and nominees are reviewed by independent judges based on our scoring rubric.
Click below to view this year’s nominees.
- Carlos Apantenco (East Aurora 131)
- Mona Carlson, Davis Elementary School (St. Charles 303)
- Cathy Daker, South Elgin High School (District U-46)
- Darice Hastings, Westfield Community School (District 300)
- Heather Mendel, Rotolo Middle School (Batavia 101)
- Noemi Mercado, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129)
- Miguel Ynestroza, Corron Elementary School (St. Charles 303)
- Olivia Bennett, Geneva High School (Geneva 304)
- Maria Catalano, Compass Academy (St. Charles 303)
- Emily Douglas, Central High School (Central 301)
- Susan Fowler, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129)
- Anne Halsema, East Aurora High School (East Aurora 131)
- Kathleen Ronzio, Kaneland McDole Elementary School (Kaneland 302)
- Stephanie Stavropoulos, St. Charles North High School (St. Charles 303)
- Jessica Ventrella, South Elgin High School (District U-46)
- Ana Cuevas, Oak Park Elementary School (East Aurora 131)
- Gemma Gurney, Central High School (Central 301)
- Micah Hook, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129)
- Griffin Kelly, Davis Elementary School (St. Charles 303
- Sarah McWeeney, Compass Academy (St. Charles 303)
- Hanna Nicolls, Jewel Middle School (West Aurora 129)
- Cristina Aboy Martín, Lakewood Elementary School (District 300)
- Michelle Bannerman, Hampshire Elementary School (District 300)
- Ashley Bjes, O’Donnell Elementary School (East Aurora 131)
- Andrea Corbett (Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School)
- Dr. Julie Esparza Bradshaw, Fearn Elementary School (West Aurora 129)
- Lisa Hatfield (Batavia 101)
- Ruth Perkins, Big Timber Elementary School (District 300)
- Stacy Smith, Gary D Wright Elementary School (District 300)
- Melissa Zavala, Delacey Family Ed. Center (District 300)
- Megan Grim, Jewel Middle School (West Aurora 129)
- Monika Hubble, Rotolo Middle School (Batavia 101)
- Camille McKay, K D Waldo Middle School (East Aurora 131)
- Kari Pitstick, Kaneland Harter Middle School (Kaneland 302)
- Nicole Price, Hampshire Middle School (District 300)
- Diane Angelo, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129)
- Tracy Beatty, Dundee-Crown High School (District 300)
- Katie Finn, South Elgin High School (District U-46)
- Jessica Lehan, Geneva High School (Geneva 304)
- Sarah Migliazzo, St. Charles North High School (St. Charles 303)
- Jennele Murphy, Bartlett High School (District U-46)
- Rebecca Pesch, South Elgin High School (District U-46)
- Ben Provencher, St. Charles East High School (St. Charles 303)
- Dr. David Ballard (East Aurora 131)
- Kelly Plate, South Elgin High School (District U-46)
- Mark Siekierski, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129)
PAST EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR WINNERS
- 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 – D30
- 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 – U-46
- 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
