2 Teachers, Student Receive Excellence in Character Awards

Two teachers and one Lake Bluff Middle School student recently received Excellence in Character Awards.

The awards - presented to student Sienna Phelps, Middle School math teacher Joe Jakcsy and Lake Bluff Elementary School English Language Learner (ELL) teacher Jen Prozument - were sponsored by Character Matters in Lake County, a committee of the YES (Youth Empowerment for Success) Coalition, the Lake County Regional Office of Education, and the College of Lake County Southlake Campus.

Phelps, who will be a freshman at Lake Forest High School in the fall, was nominated by her principal, Nathan Blackmer.

“Sienna has been among the most kind and compassionate students at Lake Bluff Middle School,” said Blackmer. “She is a leader among her peers. She is so caring, and has the ability to cheer up a friend whenever they might need it. She was the first student who came to my mind and the minds of her teachers when the opportunity for nominations was announced.”

Jakcsy just completed his third year of teaching in Lake Bluff. He has introduced several co-curricular opportunities to Lake Bluff Middle School, including the You Be the Chemist competition, Science Olympiad and Odyssey of the Mind. His nomination was submitted by Blackmer, who said, “Mr. Jakcsy is truly an outstanding teacher. He fosters a love of Math among his students who are achieving at a very high level.”

Prozument works with Lake Bluff Elementary School students who are learning to speak, read and write English.

She was nominated by Lake Bluff Elementary School Principal Margaret St. Claire, who said, “Ms. Prozument goes above and beyond the traditional duties of an ELL teacher by serving as a link for her families between home and school. She spends countless hours, often late into the evening, explaining, facilitating, translating and creating a positive relationship between home and school. She has led the staff in clothing and food drives for families who are struggling financially, and often provides for students out of her own pocket and her generous heart.”

“It was an honor to review all of the nomination forms,” said Ashley Ward, chair of the Character Matters in Lake County committee, in a recent press release. “It also confirmed the importance of recognizing individuals who display outstanding character in our communities; these students and adults are powerful role models. We need their positive influences.”