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.

From our Thank You Teachers special section: Read the letters sent by students and parents to DeKalb County teachers

Albright Middle School Principal Gerrie Aulisa is one of six finalists for the 2025 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership in Illinois.

For all the hats Immaculate Conception School's Mary Gile wears teaching junior high students, it'd be hard to guess that she actually came to teaching later in life.

Robin Berry spent much of her law career defending juveniles. She uses those real-life scenarios from the courtroom in the classroom as a teacher and full-time department chair and instructor.

Downers Grove North PE teacher strives to involve students interested in team sports

Deb Wheeler, one of three family members who work at South Prairie Elementary School in Sycamore, is getting ready to retire at the end of the school year. “[It’s] bittersweet because I do love what I do," she said.

Read our letters submitted by students and parents in Kendall County for our 2025 Thank You Teachers special edition

Sandra Almazn makes sure each of her students at Troy Craughwell Elementary School in Joliet have their linguistic and academic needs met.

Unlike K-12 classroom teachers, LaTart also works with a wide age-range of students, and he doesn’t like to use age as a metric for responsibility.

Multiple Kishwaukee College educators and staff recently received accolades for their efforts inside and out of the classroom.

Nolan Baker is a social studies teacher at Sterling High School and also serves as its head wrestling coach. Zhane Baker is an advanced placement English teacher at SHS.

Dixon High School's choir and life skills classes joined forces early in the 2025 spring semester to create a new singing ensemble, Voices United, that includes students with disabilities who want to sing and perform.

Combining her passion for teaching and basketball, a third grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Dixon started her own March Madness tradition centered around picture books.

Her passion for teaching turns her classes into hands-on learning experiences that embrace a wealth of topics designed to nurture well-rounded students.

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

Few educators wear as many hats as Mark Sykes, according to testimony from colleagues who recently sang his praises for an award recognition. Sykes, a 32-year veteran educator with DeKalb School District 428, has been named the 2025 Wirtz Award for Excellence in Education recipie

Read our Thank You Teachers letters for Bureau County here

J.D. Oliva shares how his background as a wrestler and freelance documentary filmmaker and writer has informed his approach to teaching and coaching wrestling at DeKalb High School.

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

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

There may be some difference in the age of Pat Gordon and the K-5 students she teaches music to at Momence’s Je-Neir Elementary School.

Open Sesame celebrates 50 years of providing child care in Dixon.

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.

From our Thank You Teachers special section: Read letters sent by students to Will County teachers thanking them for all they do

Lockport Township High School math teacher Mary Westberg is retiring after more than 30 years in the district.

Kate Cerri is a school booster and event planner, teaches English and special education, and loves living in Joliet.

Jeffrey Grimes once planned to be a missionary but became a teacher. He calls Joliet Central 'the heartbeat of the community.'

Physics teacher, science club sponsor, and tennis coach Bob Champlin looks back on over 30 years at Lockport Township High School before retirement.

Montini Catholic High School theater director Jackie Martin also teaches an honors theater class, which includes more technical skills and further delves into acting techniques.