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.

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

Downers Grove North’s Mike Heinz may be in his last year serving as chairman of the school’s science department but he has no plans on slowing down.

Read the letters from Kankakee County students to their teachers from our Thank You Teachers special section

At a young age Ellen Gross, then Ellen Goetz, already knew her answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Kristen Hemmersbach didn't know what she wanted to do with her life until a friend asked her to take an early childhood education course at Joliet Junior College, and that course reminded her of all the good teachers she had as a student in Shorewood.

Read thank you letters sent to teachers in Kane County from our readers and local students

If you’ve ever walked the hallways at Lincoln Elementary School in DeKalb, you may have noticed a buzz among students, faculty and staff about the Iditarod.

Trinity Catholic Academy's Dominic Giacobazzi had his heart set on being an athletic trainer, but a funny thing happened on the way to the NFL. He became a Catholic school teacher.

Jenni Smith, a veteran educator who’s been teaching for about 25 years, said she always likes to remind her eighth-grade math students at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb that you can’t get from the bottom to the top-most landing without doing all the steps in between.

District 158 Huntley special education teacher Jennifer Slad braves a bald haircut for the third time in honor of her former student who battled a rare brain tumor as a baby.

For many students in the Transition Program, paraprofessionals Dahlquist and Harding provide the final measures of support before the students set out on their own.

Joan Mundsinger's first teaching job with District 308 was teaching fifth grade at East View School.

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.

A Joliet Junior College professor said she always enjoyed architecture but she never realized how much she enjoys teaching. When asked how she motivates her students, she says they motive her.

Johnsburg Junior High social worker Nikki Brosh brings trauma-informed education practices, years of experience working with troubled kids to her school

Ivars Spalis started his teaching career as an English teacher, first as a substitute at Aurora West High School, then at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center.

Lauren Blatti’s journey toward teaching was inspired by one of her own childhood teachers, though she knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age.

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

A former Lyons Township High School student and athlete considers herself lucky to teach at her alma mater

The teaching style of an award-winning Plainfield teacher can be summed up in three words: making literary connections.

Homeschool teachers Melissa Ryan and Tammy Massey created a STEM-focused robotics team in McHenry County that has now reached international competitions twice.

Margaret Carey has been the principal at McHenry School District 15's Landmark School since 2010. Her retirement coincides with the school closing at the end of the school year.

Crystal Lake South teachers Dan Mitchell and Ben Stoner worked together to involve special education students in the school's recent plays and musicals.

McHenry High School District 156 has students from around the world learning English and core subjects, with Kelsey Podgorski keeping watch on their progress.

"Super strengths" are many for the fifth-grade teacher from Coal City Intermediate School.

Manuel Gonzalez started off as a custodian in Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47. Now, he’s a dual language teacher at the district’s Canterbury Elementary School.

Steven Custer, a Morris Community High School teacher and soccer coach uses his experience with the game to connect with new students as he teaches them English as a second language.

St. Charles art program sees full-circle of art teachers, thanks to educators like Stephanie Dodd.

Todd Kein has spent 26 years at Morris as an English teacher and baseball and basketball coach. He has found a "happy marriage" coaching baseball while teaching literature.