Oakwood Teacher Honored With Those Who Excel Award From ISBE

LEMONT, IL — Lemont District 113A second grade teacher has received the Award of Merit in the 2019-20 Those Who Excel education awards program. Adrienne Landgrave, who teaches at Oakwood School, was nominated by Superintendent Dr. Courtney Orzel for the award.

“Adrienne is a true advocate for not only her students, but an advocate for what is RIGHT about public education," Orzel said in a release. Orzel said Landgrave is one of Those Who Excel due to her “professionalism, advocacy, ability to work with students and staff as individuals, desire to make public education a better place as well as her passion, leadership, commitment and ambition.”

Those Who Excel awards recognize individuals and teams for their invaluable contributions to
their schools and communities, according to the district. The Illinois State Board of Education presents Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, and Awards of Recognition across multiple categories, including classroom teacher, school administrator, student support personnel, and community volunteer.

Kelly Zimmerman, principal at Oakwood School, described Landgrave as “someone
who epitomizes the role of a primary teacher."

“Adrienne has also taken on extra responsibilities such as organizing building-wide comfort dog visits for our students and advocating for the victims of Sandy Hook by helping to organize building-wide social-emotional activity,” Zimmerman said.

According to the district, students said Landgrave “makes learning so much fun and yet teaches her students everything they need to know. She understands that every student is different and has their own strengths and weaknesses.”

Landgrave said “one of the many hats educators wear is to encourage those around us, to believe in the power of good, and support our fellow teachers as they share valuable information that will strengthen our skills in the classroom.”

Landgrave will be presented with the Award of Merit at the 45th annual Illinois State Board of
Education Those Who Excel banquet in October.