Plainfield Foundation for Excellence presents awards to 22 teachers

The Plainfield Foundation for Excellence has awarded 22 Plainfield School District 202 teachers with Professional Development Awards.

These grants will allow them to take part in special professional growth programs this summer.

The grants are for up to $500 each. They can be used to pay for registration fees, tuition, conference/class-related materials, travel, lodging, meals or other expenses for classes or programs taken this summer.

The 2025 Professional Development Award winners and their planned programs are:

Sevgi Acik, Plainfield South High School – 2025 annual American Association of Teachers of French Convention in Chicago
Julie Belka, Bonnie McBeth Learning Center – “When Models Aren’t Sticking: A One-Day Intensive for Supporting Minimally Speaking Gestalt Language Processors”
Janelle Gray, Grand Prairie Elementary School - “Strengthening Family Student Relationships to Change the School Experience” at Dominican University
Lindsey Harl, BMLC – Ultimate play-based speech therapy course, virtual
Judy Meier, Wallin Oaks Elementary School – 2025 International Society for Technology in Education ASCD Conference in San Antonio
Christie Milen, Lincoln Elementary School – Texas Computer Education Association Librarian Conference
Elizabeth Pankau, Plainfield East High School – Savannah College of Art and Design Educator Forum in Georgia
Lee Parrott, Wallin Oaks Elementary School – plans to attend the “Science of Reading-Mini Con” in Racine, Wisconsin
Erin Sorenson-Smith, Plainfield North High School – GenCyber 2025 Teacher Camp at University of Alabama-Huntsville
Kimmi Sorg, Ridge Elementary School and 10 others – Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Center of Clemson University Virtual Summer Institute
Becky Young, Aux Sable Middle School – Google for Education Champions Symposium in Chicago
Amber Yurgil, Central Elementary School – “Play Their Way: Fostering Engagement, Attention and Emotional Development Through Play”