Lincoln-Way East Teacher Earns Teacher Of The Year Award

FRANKFORT, IL — The Illinois Education Association recently awarded Lincoln-Way East Family and Consumer Science Teacher Maggie Castrogiovanni the Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year Award.

According to the district, the IEA gives one new teacher (defined as five years or less experience) in the entire state the award based on his or her excellence in the classroom, commitment to public education, and for advancing a positive image of "new teacher" for the wider educational community.

The Lincoln-Way Education Association Castrogiovanni based off her contributions to the group and her classroom practices, the district said. This is Castrogiovanni’s second year teaching, but she has been a substitute for Lincoln-Way 210 since 2017. She teaches Design, Nutrition, Intro to Foods, What's for Dinner, and Human Relationships.

"I'm very humbled that the IEA has selected me for this honor. As an educator, I pride myself on
having a classroom where all my students feel valued and comfortable to grow as scholars and
individuals. While I'm very proud of the work that I've put into creating a welcoming classroom
environment, I have to give credit to my mentors for helping me become the educator that I am. For their ongoing support, I am very thankful," Castrogiovanni said in a release.

Castrogiovanni will be recognized at the IEA Representative Assembly in March.