LTHS Visual And Performing Arts Teacher Receives Award

LOCKPORT, IL — Lockport Township High School teacher Chad Goetz was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award, the district said in a news release. Goetz has served as a visual and performing arts teacher and choral director for nearly 17 years.

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.

“Mr. Goetz has made such a huge impact on my life. Mr. Goetz stays hours and
hours to make sure students get the help they need, staying hours past his time just for his students," LTHS senior Tammer Ali said of Goetz.

LTHS sophomore Abigail Sanford affirmed that sentiment, “He is a person who creates some of the most fantastic curricular choir performances in Illinois. He takes abilities in students who just take choir to use as a mental health support, all the way up to those who want to create careers in this field. He understands how to respond to each student’s needs. He keeps it fun and interesting, but also teaches so many techniques that most other choirs would not touch upon until they’re in college, or in the professional world.”

"I could not have been more honored or humbled to receive not just a prestigious award, but to be selected from such a dedicated and gifted pool of educators at LTHS," Goetz said. "I have worked incredibly hard over my career to create a space where every student could grow and succeed and also to feel comfortable to fail and try new things; and all of this in an environment where they feel accepted and feel like they belong regardless of their level of talent, experience, or any of the other multitude of varied characteristics that they might possess."

The award was presented on May 26, during the LTHS all-employee meeting at the close of the school year.

The district said recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and cash prize, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers, and students. The award is facilitated by the LTHS Foundation.