Thank you for attending the 49th Kane County Educator of the Year Awards
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.
Congratulations to the 2025 Kane County Educator of the Year, Gemma Gurney, teacher at Central High School in District 301, and all of this year’s 46 nominees! Click below to view other winners and honorees by category.
- 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 – Category Winner)
- Noemi Mercado, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129)
- Miguel Ynestroza, Corron Elementary School (St. Charles 303)
- Olivia Bennett, Geneva High School (Geneva 304 – Category Winner)
- 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 – 2025 Kane County Educator of the Year)
- Micah Hook, West Aurora High School (West Aurora 129 – Category Winner)
- 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 – Category Winner)
- 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 – Regional Superintendent Award Winner)
- Camille McKay, K D Waldo Middle School (East Aurora 131)
- Kari Pitstick, Kaneland Harter Middle School (Kaneland 302 – Category Winner)
- 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 – Category Winner)
- Dr. David Ballard (East Aurora 131 – Category Winner)
- 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 – 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
