19 OSD135 Staff Members Recognized with Those Who Excel Award

On Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the Illinoisan educators honored for their extraordinary contributions to education across the state through its annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. Orland School District is proud to announce nineteen staff members who received recognition.

The annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate incredible classroom teachers, administrators, volunteers, and school support personnel who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities, according to ISBE.

ISBE received a record number of nominations and applications for the 2024 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. A committee of administrators, teachers, educational service personnel, student support personnel, and past Illinois Teachers of the Year selected this year's awardees.

Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years into their career), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams. There are three different types of awards: Award of Special Recognition, Award of Meritorious Service and Award of Excellence. Orland School District has nineteen staff members who were selected across the three awards.

Educators presented with the Award of Special Recognition have connected with their school community and made a positive impact. Six staff members received this recognition: Renee Gale, Physical Therapist for the primary buildings, Annette Simons, Resource Teacher at Park, Christine Gray, Early Childhood Teacher at Centennial, Joanne Kapsaskis, Reading Specialist at High Point, Jihan Zughayyer and Noel Cary-Enriquez, Bilingual Teachers at High Point.

Educators presented with the Award of Meritorious Service have shaped their school community for the better. These educators frequently employ their talents and passions but also strive to be of service in unfamiliar domains. They have taken on leadership opportunities and their accomplishments are known and valued by many. Ten staff members within D135 were selected for this recognition: Kristin Beeler, Liberty School Principal, Colleen Joyce, High Point School Principal, Laurie Patterson, Prairie School Assistant Principal, Missy Burris, Center School Self-Contained Teacher, Kathy Cavalier, Jerling Jr High Secretary, Jenna Cragg, Orland Jr High Psychologist, Kendra Buividas, District-wide BCBA, Kristina Conway, Jerling Jr High Language Arts/Digital Literacy Teacher, Jennifer Bajer, Century Jr High Language Arts Teacher, and Cheryl Knight, Orland Jr High Science Teacher.

Educators presented with the Award of Excellence have greatly improved their school community by advocating for positive change and have shared opportunities for improvement with colleagues. These educators are lifelong learners, striving to partner with and be of service to all students, staff, and community members. They regularly collaborate with colleagues, students, parents, and school leaders across all departments and teams. These educators have become an integral member of their departments and larger school culture. Three teachers from the District were recognized with the Award of Excellence: DiFrancesca Vermillion, Meadow Ridge 4th Grade Teacher, Helen Wallis, Century Jr High Self-Contained Teacher, and Carita Hall, Centennial School EL Teacher.

District 135 is extremely proud of all staff members who were selected for the Those Who Excel Awards. The hard work and dedication is inspiring. A full list of nominees can be found at this link.