LTHS Physical Education Teacher Receives Award

LOCKPORT, IL — Lockport Township High School physical education teacher Joseph Cunnane was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award, the district said. Cunnane has served as a physical education teacher for over 26 years, and is also the Head Athletic Trainer.

According to the district, Cunnane has also been awarded the 2018 Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Humanitarian Award, 2018 National Athletic Trainers’ Association Athletic Trainer Service Award, 2017 National Most Valuable Athletic Trainer (Training & Conditioning Magazine), 2017 Big 12 College Football Playoffs Extra Yard for Teachers Award, and 2015 Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Dedicated Service Award.

Students of all levels of ability are drawn to the classes Cunnane teaches because of his capacity to connect and inspire others to work at their best level. The district said he is compassionate and deeply committed to the health and well-being of LTHS students, striving to teach them how to prevent and recover from sports-related injuries.

“Many teachers and staff members influence students, but only a few permanently shape their students to be better individuals as a whole, and I, without a doubt, believe Mr. Cunnane is one of them," LTHS senior Katerina Klementzos said in a release.

Physical Education Department Chair Todd Elkei affirmed that sentiment, “The effect Joe has had on our students, athletes, and community is immeasurable. We are lucky to have a true lifetime professional like Joe.”

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award honors an educator who has exhibited special skills in the art and science of teaching, the district said. It is sponsored by LTHS alumni Robert Carr and Jill Jackson Carr through the Give Something Back Foundation. The award is named after Jill Jackson Carr’s late parents, William Jackson, who taught science and coached golf and track at LTHS from 1958 to 1982, and Mildred Jackson, who provided music lessons for many children in the Lockport community.

Receiving this prestigious award was particularly special to Cunnane because, when he was just starting out in his teaching career, he had the privilege of meeting William Jackson. The district said Cunnane warmly recalled seeing Jackson at LTHS games and knew him to be a likable and admirable man.

The award was presented on May 26 during the LTHS all-employee teleconference meeting at the close of the school year, the district said. The recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and cash prize, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers and students.