Thank You Teachers

Matt Baker originally thought he’d be a journalist, but a love for the classrooms of his youth was always in the back of his mind, so he changed his plans at the University of Illinois.

Nazareth Academy math teacher credits her father for inspiring career

Jamie Dunlap became a business teacher at Geneva High School because of a boring accounting instructor – and she took a circuitous road to get there.

La Salle-Peru High School's Nancy Kochis class is the only of its kind offered at L-P, covering a wide range of topics including fingerprinting, fiber analysis, arson, trace evidence analysis and blood spatter patterns.

Steve Amy knew he wanted to be a coach one day, growing up in a house with a father who was a multi-sport coach and teacher. He just didn’t know he wanted to teach. He said once he started teaching at Princeton, "it was a lot of fun. We have great kids here. Makes it easy.”

Challand Middle School’s art program offers students a range of classes, from drawing to painting and printmaking to sculpture.

May 1 wasn’t just National Principal’s Day for Jefferson Elementary’s Melanie Bickley. She also received a surprise: She was named Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Lockport Township High School drafting and architecture teacher Jeff Brown looks back on his 29 years at LTHS in his final months before retirement.

Now in her third year at Marseilles Elementary, Cheyenne Timm is known for creating a welcoming, hands-on classroom environment that prepares students academically while helping them build the skills and confidence they’ll need for middle school.

Five couples share the pros and cons of teaching in the same school in Joliet School District 86.

Joey Ancel credited Jill Carter, his kindergarten teacher at Chaney-Monge School in Crest Hill, who is now retired, with his love for teaching.

Local educators featured in our Thank you teachers special section in the Bureau County Republican and Putnam County Record.

Some of our favorite photos from our special Thank You Teachers edition at the Ottawa Times featuring some amazing educators.

Some of our favorite photos from our special Thank You Teachers edition at the La Salle NewsTribune featuring some amazing educators.

A Lockport music teacher at Walsh Elementary School said the education of teaching has become more dynamic and engaging for students.

Juan Figueroa and Sandy Figueroa's passion for education stems from their own childhood experiences.

Celebrating Neil Currie's legacy at St. Charles East: A beloved voice in local sports, and history teacher.

Brian Long had strong mentors growing up in his cross country coach and Spanish teacher. He’s taken their inspiration and run with it. Long is in his second school year at Sandwich as cross country and track coach. Long also is one of three multilingual teachers in the district.

Clarissa Cooper did not envision a career in teaching growing up, and she did not necessarily expect it to be in her hometown. Yorkville is sure happy to have her. The 2016 graduate is in her fourth full school year as a teacher and coach at her alma mater.

The sport of swimming first brought Kyle and Jamie Ruiz together in third grade. The 2004 Sterling graduates, who reconnected through swimming after college and eventually got married, are still giving back today as teachers and coaches.

The 2024 season was the first time Drew Hoth didn't play tackle football since the fifth grade. But he had a new passion to takes it places as he started student teaching. He's set to be a 5th grade teacher at Mitchell when the school opens in the fall.

Every student coming through Dwight Elementary School over the last 32 years has been able to attend one of the more creatively planned third or fourth grade classes with Stinnett Gettinger.

Karvelius has been at Oswego School District 308’s Murphy Junior High School since it first opened in 2012. Prior to that, she worked at Traughber Junior High School for a year.

Cailla Swanson is in her third year of teaching special ed at Geneva High School.

Chad Clarey became a teacher and a coach because teachers and coaches mentored him.

Read our letters submitted by students and parents to Sauk Valley Media for our 2025 Thank You Teachers special edition

Ivan Cisneros Cabanas reflects on the last eight years using music and humor to teach Spanish at Olson Elementary in Woodstock,

Jimmy Roberts was already a longtime teacher and basketball coach at Algonquin's Jacobs High School when he decided to take on a new role, as girls flag football coach for the newly formed team.

Bourbonnais school teacher Josh McDaniel is recognized in the Daily Journal's Thank You Teachers special edition.

Rhonda Johnson, who teaches at Immaculate Conception School in Morris, has been teaching fifth grade students for 25 years, following in the footsteps of some of her favorite teachers.

Read our letters submitted by students and parents to the Northwest Herald for our 2025 Thank You Teachers special edition

Amber Burks, an art teacher at Lorenzo Smith School, is recognized in the Daily Journal's Thank You Teachers special edition.

Jennifer Errthum, principal at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic School in Plainfield, said it’s rare to find someone as dedicated and compassionate as third grade teacher Lisa Phad.

Ohio Grade School's Linda Downey has been a teacher for 28 years – 20 of them in a first grade classroom.

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

At Shepherd Middle School in Ottawa, the band class is more than just an extracurricular activity – it’s a place for students to grow, connect and express themselves. Leading the charge is Martin Czernicki, the school’s band director.

In a career of more than 30 years, John Beatty has taught and coached in schools big and small. Through it all he's enjoyed the interactions with students and 'pushing them to be the best they can be in the classroom as well as on the athletic field."

Megan Grady, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Sterling's Challand Middle School, uses competition and interactive curriculum to keep kids engaged in history.

In 2005, Carol Cademartori’s life came full circle in her hometown of Grant Park.

Knowing more than one language is a value that Joette Ball cherishes. “It’s not a hobby, it’s a skill,” she said. Ball has two children who are enrolled in DeKalb School District 428‘s two-way dual-language program.

Brian Lobdell is a second grade teacher at Sterling’s Franklin Elementary School. He transitioned into his career at Sterling schools years ago after spending a decade as a stay-at-home dad.

Dixon Public Schools’ newest addition, Thomas J. Dempsey Therapeutic Day School, is nearing what is sure to be a historic moment for the district - the end of its first school year. The school provides special-education services to students in kindergarten to 12th grade.

Dianna Brevitt is Sauk Valley Community College’s radiology program director, its Outstanding Faculty Award winner, and is being nominated for the 2025 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Outstanding Full-time Faculty Award.

Special education teacher James Rowe initially didn't believe he was a Golden Apple finalist

Amy Heffelfinger and Heidi Ripley, who run Rock Falls High School's Family and Consumer Sciences Department, are helping students learn practical life skills that go beyond the classroom.

Twenty years ago, Elle Creighton was among the first dual-language students in Woodstock School District 200. And Lillian Hayes was one of the program’s first teachers. Now they're colleagues.

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

Lincoln-Way East's Rich Kolimas taught English and coached the boys basketball team for 23 years. Now, he's putting away the playbook while leaving the door open for future opportunities in the classroom

Sycamore educator Annette Keca is going to space. Sort of. To be more precise, she’s been selected as one of 80 educators across the country to participate in a prestigious Teacher Innovator Institute at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

A group of social workers, teachers and coaches at Sycamore High School has come together to form a coalition to support student athletes’ health, both body and mind.