Troy 30-C Announces "Q Award" Recipients

Troy Community School District 30-C Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl and school board members recently awarded nine staff members with “Q Awards” for the 2019-2020 school year.

The annual awards are presented to those who have gone above and beyond their job description, positively impacting others with quality and kindness. Staff were nominated by those in the Troy community and chosen by school administrators.

The celebration was virtual this year.

Q Award recipients are Jolene Chamblee, Meagan DeGroot, Sheila Freese, Toni Hicks, Jill Hofmann, Kelly Holmes, Michelle Laird, Travis Naber and Joan Schultz.

Jolene Chamblee, an LRC associate at Troy Shorewood Elementary School, was described as the definition of team player who never hesitated to volunteer her time to help staff and students. She often uses her personal time and money to find items for the library. Chamblee also took on the task of organizing and creating a better system for our guided reading resources.

Meagan DeGroot, Troy Athletic and Activities Director, was described as selfless and dedicated. She seeks to provide all students with opportunities to excel in athletics, clubs and other extracurricular activities. DeGroot also organizes and leads the prestigious and largest middle school cross country meet in Illinois. She was described as Troy’s biggest cheerleader for the students.

Sheila Freese, 3rd grade teacher at Troy Craughwell Elementary School, was described as a wonderful educator who will be dearly missed as she moves out of state this year. Freese ensures that all of the students she encounters receive the support they need to be successful. In addition to co-sponsoring WBO’s Young Achievers Club, she mentors students to reach their full potential. She also is always on the lookout for ways to impact the building in a positive way. Freese also evolved WBO’s positive referral program into a teacher-nominated Taki incentive, delivering takis to students’ homes for the great work they were doing.

Toni Hicks, Troy Heritage Trail Elementary School 4th grade teacher, went above and beyond for her students and fellow staff, including nurturing them in their lowest moments. She is described as kind, compassionate, and patient, taking time to sit and listen, never passing judgement and never focusing on the negative. She is a positive role model who makes each one of her students realize how important they are and how valuable it is to be kind, understanding and selfless.

Jill Hofmann, special education teaching associate at Troy Middle School, rose to the occasion during the recent learning-from-home period of coronavirus school building closures by adapting teaching to individual students. For her visual learners, she used a white board she had purchased herself. For her students who were having trouble attending online class, she created a reward-based system that increased attendance and punctuality. Hofmann has a positive impact on her students’ ability to learn and on their overall well-being.

Kelly Holmes, 3rd grade teacher at Troy Cronin Elementary School, passed away this spring, and was chosen for this award for being a true advocate for her students, ensuring they received the best education she could provide, as well as the services and support they needed. She worked long hours to make sure her planning encompassed all of her students in all of their unique environments. Holmes also advocated for her colleagues during this spring’s unexpected period of e-learning, sharing with them her ideas for virtual classes. She is also the recipient of the Great Teacher Award from the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and of the Teacher of the Year Award from the Kiwanis Club.

Michelle Laird, Troy Director of Special Education, has been a “go-to” person at Troy, making herself always available to meet with administrators and staff to help problem-solve to make sure Troy students continually receive the best education and care. Her calmness and “it’s going to be great” mentality have supported students and staff through difficult and challenging times.

Travis Naber, Assistant Principal of William B. Orenic Intermediate School, has been a unifying force at the school for the two years he has served in the position. His solid leadership skills are evident with each interaction with staff and students, and he knows how important face-to-face interactions are. His genuine concern contributes to W.B.O. feeling like home.

Joan Schultz, Troy Shorewood Elementary School teaching associate, has helped foster a love of learning and curiosity for the students in her building at all grade levels. Over the years, she has arrived to work each day with a positive and professional attitude and is an asset to the school’s teams and students. She takes the initiative to plan for her groups by doing research to find additional educational materials for her students, online resources to deepen understanding and enrichment lessons to help the students learn.