BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) honored the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year cohort at a reception in Bloomington-Normal on Feb. 25. The program included acknowledgements from State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders, ISBE Board Chairman and 1998 Illinois Teacher of the Year Dr. Steven Isoye, 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year and Educators Rising Illinois State Coordinator Dr. Lindsey Jensen, 2019 Teacher of the Year Finalist Bill Polasky, and 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year and 2023 National Teacher of the Year Finalist Kim Radostits.
ISBE will begin finalist interviews this week and select the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year - the state‘s highest honor for classroom teachers - later this spring. The Illinois Teacher of the Year will receive a yearlong paid sabbatical to travel the state as an ambassador for the teaching profession, as well as represent Illinois in the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year Program.
Illinois Teachers of the Year 2023 cohort bios and photos can be found at ISBE’s Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Program webpage. They include:
- Cook County - Anne Gray, music teacher at Franklin Elementary Fine Arts Center in City of Chicago School District 299
- Cook County – Dr. Sawsan Jaber, English teacher at East Leyden High School in Leyden High School District 212
- Cook County - Samantha Stearns, social studies teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest School District 90
- Cook County – Dr. Michael Ayala, Spanish teacher at John Hersey High School in Township High School District 214
- East Central – Dr. Katherine Bruemmer, English, career, and technical education teacher at Heyworth Junior-Senior High School in Heyworth Community Unit School District 4
- North Suburbs - Amber Jirsa, English teacher at Batavia Senior High School in Batavia Public School District 101
- Northwest - Eugene Calingacion, special education teacher at Jones-Farrar, an International Baccalaureate World School in Freeport School District 145
- South Suburbs - Sara Szewczyk, English teacher at Summit Hill Junior High School in Summit Hill School District 161
- Southeast - Nicole Weh, special education teacher at Central Community High School in Central Community High School District 71
- Southwest - Briana Morales, English teacher at Gordon Bush Alternative Center for Education in East St. Louis School District 189
- West Central - Madeline Wood, music teacher at United High School in United Community Unit School District 304
- Bilingual - Ricardo King Jr., English and social studies teacher at Normal Community High School in McLean County Unit School District 5
- Early Childhood - Marcia Dodds, pre-K teacher at Prather Elementary School in Granite City Community Unit School District 9
- Special Education - Nicole McCormick, special education and employment/transition teacher at Forest View Educational Center in Township High School District 214
- Outstanding Early Career Educator - Gariecia Rose, social studies teacher at Glenbard East High School in Glenbard Township High School District 87
"Each of the educators in the 2023 Teacher of the Year cohort has a unique voice and perspective on teaching, but they all share a fervor for doing the best for kids," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “They have each challenged the status quo and changed systems at the school and district levels to make education work better for their students. ISBE is proud to celebrate their incredible efforts and invaluable impact that goes beyond the classroom, uplifting entire communities.”
“These educators are a testament to the evergreen truth that how we teach matters just as much as what we teach, and their commitment to excellence is worth celebrating,” said ISBE Board Chairman and 1998 Illinois Teacher of the Year Dr. Steven Isoye. “Just as the Those Who Excel program opened meaningful opportunities for me, I look forward to seeing the remarkable journeys of teacher leadership ahead for the 2023 class of educators.”
“This cohort’s passion for education is palpable,” said 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year and one of five finalists for National Teacher of the Year Kim Radostits. “Becoming an Illinois State Teacher of the Year changed my life and led to personal and professional growth in ways I could not have imagined. I am thrilled to welcome this phenomenal new class of educators to the family."
The annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate incredible classroom teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel who have made lasting impacts on students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities. ISBE received a record number of nominations and applications for the 2023 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. ISBE will host its annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Banquet April 29.
The 2023 Illinois Teachers of the Year were notified of their recognition through a surprise video call. Watch here.
See photos from the 2023 Illinois Teachers of the Year Reception here.
