D202 Staff, Community To Be Honored At 32nd Awards Of Excellence

PLAINFIELD, IL — The time of the year has returned when Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 educators and community members are honored at the Awards of Excellence.

This year's ceremony, the 32nd annual event that's open to the community, will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at Plainfield East High School, 12001 S. Naperville Road.

The Awards of Excellence honor teachers and non-administrative staff who have made a significant impact on their students, schools and the community. A committee of three Board members and the Board's two community ambassadors picks the winners from nominations from students, staff and parents.

More than 500 people have been honored since the award's inception in 1993.

"The Board of Education is very proud of all of our staff and the tremendous work they do every day, every year, to serve our students and families," said Board of Education President Rod Westfall, chairperson of the Board’s recognition committee.

Here's a look at the 29 people who will be honored at the 2024 Awards of Excellence:

• Laila Ali — John F. Kennedy Middle School language arts teacher and Culture Club chairperson
• Lisa Bryjak — Aux Sable Middle School math teacher
• Dawn Bullock — President of the Association of Plainfield Teachers
• Ashlee (Wright) Cooper — Plainfield North High School social worker
• Amber Damm — Ridge Elementary School paraprofessional
• Tabitha Galaty — Ira Jones Middle School science teacher
• Brian Gier — Plainfield East High School groundskeeper specialist
• Karen Gomez — Grand Prairie Elementary School K-2 dual language special education teacher
• Katherine Gregory — Heritage Grove Middle School eighth-grade social studies teacher
• Keith Hancock — Creekside Elementary School fifth-grade special education teacher
• Paula Heyden — Lincoln Elementary School fifth-grade teacher
• Takisha Hill — Freedom Elementary School third-grade teacher
• Julie Kelly — Plainfield South High School Creative Arts Division Chairperson
• Grace McAllister — Thomas Jefferson Elementary School paraprofessional
• Colleen McGarr — Plainfield North High School multi-needs nurse
• Tracy Mihaljevic — Lincoln Elementary School special education teacher
• William Murphy — Plainfield East High School social studies teacher
• Melissa O’Keefe — Plainfield North High School science teacher
• Jacqueline Pieroni — John F. Kennedy Middle School sixth-grade science teacher
• Stephanie Pohlman — Aux Sable Middle School special education teacher
• Selena Landa — John F. Kennedy Middle School language arts teacher and Culture Club chairperson
• Nicole Rossi Sandilands — Eagle Pointe Elementary School social worker
• John Rosner — Plainfield Central High School dean of students
• Donna Trillo Ruggles — Plainfield East High School English as a second language teacher
• Kim Schuelke — Creekside Elementary School multilingual teacher
• Lauren Turvey — Meadow View Elementary School fifth-grade teacher
• Stacey Vander Heide — Districtwide reading specialist for Creekside, Eichelberger and Liberty elementary schools (nominated for work at Creekside)
• Amber Witry — Plainfield Central High School guidance counselor
• Erin Zukas — Creekside Elementary School third-grade special education teacher