The Kane County Educator of the Year Awards are an annual celebration designed to honor the dedication, leadership, and inspiration that shape our schools and enrich 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.
Awards Banquet
Friday, May 1, 2026
Q Center, 1405 North Fifth Ave., St. Charles, Ill. 60174
Social Hour – 5:30 p.m. • Dinner – 6:30 p.m.
2026 Nominees
- Alyssa Farney (West Aurora 129)
- Joseph Nitti (East Aurora 131)
- Abigail Bowers (Kaneland 302)
- Cailla Swanson (Geneva 304)
- Chad Clarey (Batavia 101)
- Noemi Hernandez (District U-46)
- Lisa Hylla (District U-46)
- Emily Kleparski (District 300)
- Gail Payton (Kaneland 302)
- Elideth Salgado (District 300)
- Griselda Salmeron (East Aurora 131)
- Christy Schmidt (District 300)
- Lisa Conte (District 131)
- Maggie Pacana (Kaneland 302)
- Ignacio Rodriguez Montero (Central 301)
- Dominic Bruno (Kaneland 302)
- Jeffrey Collons (St. Charles 303)
- Sara DeMartino-Consdorf (Geneva 304)
- Kristin Doucette (East Aurora 131)
- Lindsey Hawkins (St. Charles 303)
- Paul Kieffer (West Aurora 129)
- Danielle Paul (District U-46)
- Dr. Collin Barnes (Aurora Central Catholic High School)
- Laura McCoy (Headwaters Academy)
- Jean Alicz (Geneva 304)
- Sarah Bean (District U-46)
- Diane Cronin (Batavia 101)
- Yanil Delgado (East Aurora 131)
- Debbie Dillon (District U-46)
- Liz Drenthe (West Aurora 129)
- Janet Greshock (District U-46)
- Rudo Muzorewa-Hughes (Kaneland 302)
- Tiffany Darby (West Aurora 129)
- Jeffrey Davis (District 300)
- Kathleen Hayes (East Aurora 131)
- Meriah Kruit (District 300)
- Aimee Miller (Batavia 101)
- Sharon Oeffling (District 300)
- Katie Perkins (St. Charles 303)
- Jill Queffelec (District 300)
- Stacie Salzman (Kaneland 302)
- Laura Edwards (West Aurora 129)
- Shanna Lewis (St. Charles 303)
- Kevin Marten (East Aurora 131)
- Pamela Porto (Central 301)
- Dr. Martina Smith (District 300)
- Lauren Stewart (District U-46)
- Brian Tennison (District U-46)
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
Tickets for attending the 2026 Educator of the Year banquet are now available and can be purchased below by card only. You will need to provide name, email, and other information for each ticket holder. If you are unable to purchase with a card, please contact your district office representative for other options.
