Summit Hill D161 Teacher Named South Suburbs Teacher Of The Year

FRANKFORT, IL — Summit Hill Junior High seventh grade teacher Sara Szewczyk has been named as the 2023 South Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education, according to a release from the District.

Szewczyk, who teaches English Language Arts, is also one of 13 finalists for the organization’s Illinois Teacher of the Year.

“I feel so honored that all my dedication, hard work, and intention that I have put into my teaching practices and classroom have been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education with this incredible award. I am so grateful to even have been nominated, and winning South Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year is such a huge career milestone and privilege that I am so proud of achieving,” Szewczyk said in a news release. “Like so many teachers, I put my heart and soul into my curriculum, instruction, and school to best serve my students, and I am so humbled to join other amazing educators as Teacher of the Year!”

Now in her 12th year of teaching middle school ELA, and nine years in D161, Szewczyk sits on several building and district committees, working to support state standards, curriculum planning, and rigor across all contents, and leads her ELA department in planning lessons, reviewing data, and incorporating ideas that support students’ emotional well-being, the district said. In addition, she is also the faculty sponsor of the school’s Yoga Club and Writers’ Workshop and has coached the school’s Cheerleading and Scholastic Bowl teams.

“Sara exemplifies creativity, positivity, passion and above all, a love for her students and subject content,” SHJH Principal Laura Goebel said in a release. “Sara has a wealth of knowledge in many areas and has provided countless students with impactful experiences.”

“I have visited Sara’s classroom on numerous occasions, so I’ve seen firsthand the things that I read in her nomination letter from Principal Laura Goebel,” Dr. Paul McDermott, Superintendent of Summit Hill School District 161, said in a release. "Sara authentically interacts with her students, leading them in their learning and then offering them the opportunity to lead, taking ownership of what is occurring in the room. Sara is an amazing teacher and a tremendous advocate for her students. We are proud of Sara and are thrilled to celebrate her Teacher of the Year Award."

Szewczyk grew up in Tinley Park and graduated from Marist High School. She is also a certified yoga instructor, incorporating practices including mindfulness into her classroom, the district said.

Szewczyk, who began her career teaching at Ridgeview Junior High in Colfax, earned her bachelor’s degree in Middle Level Education with endorsements in English Language Arts, Social Studies and Math from Illinois State University. She also has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Chicago, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. In addition, she has post-graduate certificates in Educator Resilience and Student Supports from Augustana College, according to the district.

“I love being a teacher. I always wanted to be a teacher. I come from a family with a lot of teachers, and I always looked up to those family members,” Szewczyk said in a release. “I am 100 percent that cliché story. I never seriously considered doing anything else.”