ROE26 Honors Rural Education Leaders for Lifelong Impact on Students Across West-Central Illinois

PEORIA -- In many rural communities, schools serve as more than places of learning. They are community centers, gathering places and anchors that help sustain small towns across west-central Illinois.

That reality was on full display as the Regional Office of Education #26 announced the recipients of its first-ever Champions of Education Awards, recognizing two educators whose careers have helped shape generations of students in the largely rural region stretching southwest of Peoria.

West Prairie South Elementary teacher Stephanie Kerr was named the inaugural ROE26 Educator of the Year, while longtime Macomb special education paraprofessional Marilyn Keeney was posthumously honored as Support Staff of the Year.

The awards recognize educators serving school districts across Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler counties, where schools often play an outsized role in community life and educational leaders frequently wear multiple hats to support students and families.

“One of the greatest strengths of our region is the incredible people who dedicate their lives to helping students grow, learn and succeed,” said Regional Superintendent Dave Demler.

Kerr, who has spent 30 years teaching in the West Prairie School District serving portions of Fulton and Schuyler counties, was recognized for her leadership, literacy instruction and commitment to student achievement. Principal Caitlin Watson noted that Kerr’s students consistently rank among the highest-performing readers in the state and praised her role as a mentor to younger teachers.

“Mrs. Kerr has made a lasting impact on students, colleagues and the school community during her 30 years teaching in the West Prairie School District,” Watson wrote in her nomination.

Keeney’s recognition celebrated a remarkable 47-year career serving students in Macomb schools, most notably as a special education paraprofessional. Colleagues remembered her as a tireless advocate for students facing behavioral and emotional challenges and a mentor to countless educators.

“Those students needed that more than ever, and she was always available to hand that gift out whenever it was needed,” Lincoln School Principal Eric Bryan wrote in his nomination. “I think it is safe to say she has made an impact on thousands of students over her career.”

For Demler, the awards are about recognizing the people who help rural schools thrive despite ongoing workforce and resource challenges facing education.

“Education is about relationships, encouragement and creating opportunities for students to thrive,” Demler said. “We want these awards to become an annual tradition that highlights the incredible talent, compassion and dedication found throughout ROE26 schools.”

As communities across Fulton and Schuyler counties continue working to attract families and strengthen local schools, leaders like Kerr and Keeney serve as reminders that the success of rural education often depends on the dedication of individuals willing to invest decades of service in the students and communities they call home.