Teacher of the Week: Kristen Kirk
The fourth-grade teacher at St. Joseph Grade School — where she was also a student — says she strives each day to make learning interactive and meaningful for her students.On Wednesdays, we'll...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Kayla Bower
The sixth- to eighth-grade special-education teacher at Mary Miller Junior High School in Georgetown says Monday is her favorite day of the week because it's when her students get to practice life...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Jeana Craft
The seventh-grade English/language arts teacher at Arcola Junior/Senior High School lets students choose class nicknames at the beginning of the year in an effort to build strong relationships.On...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Alyssa Mayer
The fifth-grade teacher at Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, who also teaches sixth-grade English language arts and math and fifth-grade science, is constantly learning.On Wednesdays, we'll spotlight...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Andrea Byram
The 26-year teacher at First Baptist School in Danville currently teaches fifth grade, but has taught different elementary grade levels, math to middle- and high-school students and P.E. to 1-12...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Julie Bequette
The Urbana High School German teacher says her instruction style is unique, just like the language she teaches.On Wednesdays, we'll spotlight a difference-making area educator. To nominate a teacher,...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Chris Townsend
The Monticello High business, computer concepts and consumer education teacher, who's retiring at the end of the school year after 33 years, spent his first four professional years in the retail...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Morgan Rausch
The early-childhood teacher at Eastlawn Elementary School in the Rantoul city schools says the best part of her job is the quirky age group she gets to work with each day.n Wednesdays, we'll spotlight...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Annette Lockhart
The first-grade teacher at Maple School in Hoopeston who's retiring at the end of the year encourages students to be problem-solvers, independent learners, peer teachers and lifelong learners.On...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Gary Pinkerton
The seventh-grade teacher at Edison Middle School is retiring at the end of next month after 20 years at Edison and said he plans to spend his free time relaxing and doing the activities he enjoys.On...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Laura Bruce
The Carrie Busey Elementary kindergarten teacher says she has a passion for building relationships with students and their families, which fits in well with the theme at her school.Meet Laura Bruce, a...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Linda Boyer
The Danville Lutheran first-grade educator who's retiring in June after 43 years still brings lots of enthusiasm to the classroom each day.On Wednesdays, we'll spotlight a difference-making area...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Abby Donovan
The first-grade teacher at Champaign's Kenwood Elementary says building relationships with each of her students is one of the most important things she does.On Wednesdays, we'll spotlight a...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Mike Kietzman
'I still like to blow things up in chemistry demonstrations,' says the Monticello High School biology and chemistry teacher who's wrapping up a 33-year teaching career this week.Today, we're wrapping...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Allison Imig
The special-education teacher has been at the READY program in Champaign since she did her student teaching there in 2001, staying because it's the 'perfect job' for her.On Wednesdays, we'll spotlight...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Shalonda Carr
The ESL teacher at Urbana's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary believes that learning new things herself is one of the most important things she can do for her students.On Wednesdays, we'll...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Chris Dryer
The eighth-grade science teacher at Danville's North Ridge Middle School, realized he wanted to work with younger students while coaching track at Olivet Nazarene University and set off to earn his...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Carrie Hopkins
The Barkstall Elementary special-ed teacher went into her career thinking she would teach kindergarten until just after graduation, when 'I got a TA position, and I fell in love with these two autistic...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Amy Martin
The preschool teacher at Rantoul's Head Start is known for going above and beyond with her classroom decor. This year, she custom-built a barn — in keeping with the class's farm theme — in one...
View ArticleTeacher of the Week: Chris Antonsen
The language-arts teacher at Champaign's Countryside School has been many things — college professor, web developer, scout leader, dad, grant writer — but the title he gets questions about is...
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