Plainfield Teachers, Staffers to Be Given Excellence Awards

Plainfield School District 202 will honor 22 teachers and staff members at its 19^th Annual Awards of Excellence on April 13.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the Plainfield East High School auditorium, 12001 S. Naperville Road, Plainfield. The event is open to the community and a reception will follow the ceremony.

The awards honor teachers and non-administrative staff who have touched the lives of their students and peers. In all, 69 nominations were received for 49 District 202 educators and staff members.

A committee of three school board members and the board’s community ambassador picked this year’s winners. Since 1993, the board has honored 245 individuals with Awards of Excellence.

“Our staff members help make District 202 the great public school system that we are,” school board member Rod Westfall, a member of the recognition committee, said in a written statement.

“Each of these honorees has earned this recognition and our thanks through their hard work, dedication and commitment to our students, schools and the community.”

The 2011 Awards of Excellence winners are:

• Wesmere Elementary School intermediate ED instructional teacher Nancy LeMoine – Her coworkers wrote, “Nancy works every day with students who are behaviorally and academically challenging. She does this with ease and confidence and has a true love for what she does.”
• Timber Ridge Middle School 6^th grade teacher Samantha LeCrone -- A coworker wrote, “She always challenges the students to do their best. She creates a comfortable learning environment and each day is a new beginning with new challenges.”
• Drauden Point Middle School custodian Don Piper – A coworker wrote, “Don Piper is a professional from the time he opens Drauden in the morning until he leaves in the afternoon. Don works hard to make the physical building a safe and enjoyable work environment. Don exceeds all expectations.”
• Ira Jones Middle School 8^th grade teacher Joe Peltz -- One student wrote, “Mr. Peltz is always challenging students to go above and beyond. He always encourages us to strive for excellence.”
• Plainfield North High School physics teacher Jay Patel – One parent wrote, “Mr. Patel exhibited patience, concern, and above all, great teaching skills with high school students. Mr. Patel is a treasure at PNHS. He is a living example of the (Award of Excellence). I hope my incoming freshman with have the luck of being a student in Mr. Patel’s classroom.
• Plainfield High School – Central Campus media specialist Kendall McBeth -- One coworker praised McBeth for his many technological contributions and wrote, “He is always willing to provide help and support to staff members at the sister high schools. He generously shares his knowledge, the programs he created and time with other schools in the district.”
• Indian Trail Middle School music teacher Mason Luebbing -- One student wrote, “Mr. Luebbing is amazing in many ways. He spends time every day to make sure we are exceeding. He makes sure we understand what the music is saying. He always says, ‘No day like today.’ That is what I think of all the time.”
• Charles Reed Elementary School 5^th grade teacher Jennifer Hennegan – A coworker wrote, “She is always willing to meet with students before or after school to give them additional support. She truly exemplifies what a caring and compassionate member of the Plainfield School District community is.”
• Lakewood Falls Elementary School second grade teacher Amy Grabowski -- One coworker wrote, “In addition to earning a well-deserved reputation as an excellent educator, Amy is constantly supporting her school and her community” through numerous “selfless acts.”
• Plainfield North High School office secretary Pam Dore -- A student wrote, “She is helpful to students and staff and PNHS would not be the same without her. I think that she deserves this award because she truly touches people’s lives for the better.”
• Heritage Grove Middle School 6^th grade teacher Betsy D’Angelo -- A colleague wrote, “Working tirelessly for individuals, small groups, and the whole team is what Betsy is known for. She cares deeply about student success and develops relationships with families and students to make their success a reality.”
• Plainfield South High School band director Jerrod Cook -- A former student wrote, “In band, Mr. Cook not only wanted us to be good musicians, but good people. Mr. Cook is an important role model in many of our lives, mainly because he practices what he believes; he is a good person who cares about his students.”
• Central Elementary School teaching assistant/lunchroom supervisor Cindy Clark – One coworker wrote, “Cindy has an excellent rapport with staff, students, and parents. She is a dedicated employee and a positive role model to the young students at Central Elementary School.”
• Plainfield South High School campus monitor Steve Calabrese -- A coworker wrote, “Using his experience as a former DARE officer, Steve is exceptional with the students and relates to them one-on-one. He has earned their respect. If he sees something that needs to be done, he does it on his own. The words ‘not my job’ are not even in his vocabulary.”
• Crystal Lawns Elementary School first grade teacher Peggy Boyle -- One coworker wrote, “Peggy is an exceptional first grade teacher who is known for her communication with parents and the fun activities she leads her students through. First graders make amazing progress and become so independent when they are with Peggy.”
• Timber Ridge Middle School 8^th grade teacher Stacy Zallis -- A colleague wrote, “If excellence means standing above good, then Stacy proves this on a daily basis. As a teacher she works diligently. She shows staff and students how to be responsible and caring in the community.”
• Plainfield East High School office secretary Cindy Westfall – A colleague wrote, “Cindy may be the principal’s secretary, but she is much more than that. She is the ‘answer gal’ and the ‘how to person’ for all of the staff’s numerous questions and always has the right answer for them.”
• Ira Jones Middle School band director Karlee Van Kley -- A coworker wrote, “Karlee has superior organizational skills and despite having two children at home, is selfless with her time. Karlee never claims to be ‘anything special,’ but she certainly is."
• Bonnie McBeth Learning Center teacher Lisa Tutor -- A parent wrote, “We know all too well that good teachers make all the difference. Lisa Tutor is one of these great teachers. She cares about the education our children get and is dedicated to effective teaching."
• Plainfield East High School speech pathologist Chris Spiel – A parent wrote, “Mr. Spiel has been (our son’s) rock. Whenever he has an issue, he immediately seeks out Mr. Spiel. He knows Mr. Spiel will always be there to help him. We don’t know what we would do without him. I feel we and the school district are blessed to have such a caring and devoted teacher in our district.”
• Aux Sable Middle School office secretary Pat Rowe -- A coworker wrote, “As most educators already know, secretaries are indispensible and priceless. Pat is certainly no exception, but she is so much more to the staff and school. Pat is an inspiration, that much-needed ray of sunshine and a larger-than-life presence in the school.”
• Plainfield North High School band director Steven Pyter – A coworker wrote, “If this award was given for dedication, Steven Pyter would surely win. He makes each student feel special and valued. He is truly gifted at building relationships with each child. But this award is given for excellence. Mr. Pyter led his band to compete at the state level, placing 8^th in state.”

The Board will also present special awards to two community members for their significant community service. Both award winners will be announced at the ceremony.

The Ira Jones Award, created in 1986, is named for Richard Ira Jones, the proprietor of Jones Hardware, which was located in downtown Plainfield for many years.

Jones was a member of the District 202 school board from 1936-1972, including the last 15 years as president. He also served as a member of several other public boards, including the fire district and various community service organizations.

The Elizabeth “Bess” Eichelberger Distinguished Service Award was created in 2009 to honor those who embody Eichelberger’s spirit of community service.

Eichelberger, a Plainfield-area icon who died in February 2009, was renowned for her passion for volunteerism. She served nearly 26 years on the Board of Education, then continued as one of two Board Ambassadors until her death.

She also served as a member or director of numerous community organizations including the Will County United Way; C.W. Avery YMCA; the Rotary; St. Mary’s Immaculate Parish; and the PHSCC Athletic and Band Booster groups, among numerous others.