Joliet District 86 Teachers Receive Joliet Chamber Great Teacher Award

Congratulations to the three Joliet Public Schools District 86 teachers who were named 2025 Joliet Area Great Teachers by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In total, 25 educators were recognized at a banquet held at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate on March 10, 2025. Over 195 teachers were nominated by students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or community members for the annual award.

This year’s winning Joliet Public Schools District 86 teachers include (from left to right) Cathy Wagner, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Amanda Woycheese, Pershing Elementary; and Anne Flaherty, Taft Elementary. Cathy Wagner has more than 37 years of experience in the field of education, including the last 25 years serving as a PreKindergarten teacher at Marycrest Early Childhood Center. For the past eight years, Amanda Woycheese has served as a third- and fourth-grade special education teacher at Pershing Elementary School supporting the diverse needs of her students and Anne Flaherty, a dedicated fourth-grade teacher at Taft Elementary School, has spent the past 25 years making a positive impact on Joliet District 86 students.

“We are so very proud of our Great Teachers who exemplify the greatest attributes of the teaching profession every day.” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse.

The teachers will also be recognized at the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors meeting in April.