He was a rebellious student and "slacker" until he stumbled into auto shop. Now, La Salle-Peru High School's Mike Fisher runs the auto shop to teach his students accountability, professionalism.

Read our letters submitted by students and parents to The Times for our 2025 Thank You Teachers special edition

Samantha Munks, a SOAR (Students Obtaining Achievement and Responsibility) high school teacher in Peru, pushes her students to be their best by inspiring them to dream and supporting them by meeting them at their level.

Jenna Maierhofer has been a beloved teacher for over two decades. She will retire from Seneca High School at the end of the year.

There are teachers who just do their job, and then there are teachers like Woodland’s Lisa Jackson who change people’s lives.

Teaching dual credit courses for Illinois Valley Community College puts Vince Brolley back in high school, where he feels right at home.  

There are teachers who just do their job, and then there are teachers like Woodland’s Lisa Jackson who change people’s lives.

John Hladovcak can’t find a mechanic’s shop in Ottawa or Streator that doesn’t have at least one former student of his in its employ, a trend that continues as he shows Ottawa High School students the ins-and-outs of automotive repair.

Marquette's Todd Hopkins credits the support of his wife, Katie, his family and the Crusaders fans with his teams' success.