D158 Exemplary School Educator and School Employee Awards

Debbie Kent was the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Tech Office and is the nominee for Exemplary School Employee from Huntley Community School District 158. Debbie just retired in March and left this place much better than how she found it. She is TIRELESS in her efforts to order, process and get equipment and supplies out. Debbie possesses a spirit with equal parts joy and productivity. 3,000
Chromebooks to move, unbox, barcode? Done. Need help with anything? Deb is the first to raise her hand. You will be exhausted witnessing her work.

 Jeri Lynn Graunke is a 3rd Grade Teacher and the Exemplary School Educator nominee from Katherine Leggee Elementary School. Jeri Lynn has passion and love for teaching! She specializes in making accommodations for all her students to find success. She is well known in the community for being a teacher that goes the extra 10 miles for her students!!! She is always sharing and caring. Her teaching and passion bring the SPARKLE that Huntley strives for!!!

Laura Laughlin is a RtI Aide and the Exemplary School Employee nominee from Katherine Leggee Elementary School. Laura is an amazing educator. She comes to work early and leaves late. She makes sure she is completely planned, organized, prepared, and ready with a smile and positive attitude for every group of children she serves. Whether it is check in and check out with a student, group work, one on one instruction or bus duty she gives it 100% everyday. Leggee is LUCKY to have her on staff. 

 Margaret Hoffman is a Special Services Teacher and the Exemplary School Educator nominees from Chesak Elementary School. Maggie is full of knowledge and resources to individualize instruction for any student. She is innovative, flexible, supportive, and creative. She goes above and beyond for her colleagues and teammates, but is also there for someone when they are not confident or are burnt out. She is APPRECIATED as a teacher, colleague, and friend.

Kristen Ebner is a 1:1 Special Services Aide and the Exemplary School Employee nominee from Chesak Elementary School. Kristen is flexible with her roles and responsibilities, and helps as needed. She actively seeks out colleagues to troubleshoot and problem solve. She picks up on patterns in student behavior and is innovative with responding to them. Kristen speaks up for students and advocates for their success and best interests. She is an amazing colleague and friend who will ENCOURAGE and SUPPORT you however you need. 

 Laura Jenkins is a Math Teacher and the Exemplary School Educator nominee for Huntley High School. Laura is not only an outstanding math educator, but she is a student advocate and a genuinely wonderful colleague. She teaches with a true love of learning. The thoughtfulness, care, and compassion that she puts into each and every interaction with students is something special. Laura is simply a STANDOUT!

Mark Loewe is a Dean's Assistant for Security and the Exemplary School Employee nominee for Huntley High School. There’s so much that Mark brings to the HHS Campus; masterful 2 minute music playlists that penetrate the halls during passing periods, secure and orderly parking lots, his “Howdy Booty” character and Late Start Live every Wednesday. Mark dedicates his ENERGY and CREATIVITY into making each day memorable for the students and faculty. 

 Stacy Gross is a 3rd Grade Teacher and the Exemplary School Educator nominee from Martin Elementary School. Stacy is such an amazing teacher! She is highly encouraging to her students, shares her love of reading, and creates meaningful learning experiences. She attends student events outside of school and is extremely supportive to her fellow teachers. Stacy is an HEA representative and is very involved in the community. Her DEVOTION to her students, school, and community is evident on a daily basis.

Griselda Alejandro is a custodian and the Exemplary School Employee nominee from Martin Elementary School. Griselda supports our building with patience, kindness, and a good sense of humor. She has endured through frustration (and TikTok challenges!) and still handled each situation with a smile and a laugh. She gets to know students and engages in our PBIS with building tours with students. She jumps in whenever she is needed and is ENDLESSLY KIND to staff and students. 

 Todd Ary is a History Teacher and the Exemplary School Educator nominee from Heineman Middle School. Todd is always up for the challenge to instill a love for History into the student’s daily lives. Where traditional History classes are taught from a book and set in a lecture setting, Todd breaks these past practices and makes History come alive for each student. He incorporates numerous simulations and brings local veterans in to talk about their experiences. His passion for teaching is UNMEASURABLE and INFECTIOUS!

Melissa Freundt is an Administrative Assistant and the Exemplary School Employee nominee from Heineman Middle School. Melissa goes above and beyond for staff, students, and families. She truly makes a difference in the lives of our students each and every day with the positive interactions and relationships she builds with them! She is always willing to support other staff members by lending a HELPING HAND with tasks. And she keeps Heineman's social media looking good! 

 Joan Bryczek is a Special Services Program Aide and the Exemplary School Employee nominee from Conley Elementary School. Joan is an excellent aide to students at Conley. She exudes kindness and patience to every individual she encounters. She consistently finds ways to connect with students and make them feel valued, supported, and encouraged. She offers a smile and a gentle demeanor, making her APPROACHABLE and LOVED by all the people who are lucky enough to know and work with her.

Megan Lasiowski is a ELL Teacher and the Exemplary School Educator nominee from Conley Elementary School. Megan has ALWAYS been an amazing educator but this year with the influx of refugees from Russia and Ukraine, she has gone above and beyond! was very proactive, researching best practices to share with staff ahead of the students' arrival. She advocated for a district liaison that speaks Russian and Ukrainian. These students immediately connected with her and feel safe in her class and trust her. She is a TREASURE and an asset to the school. 

 Virginia Apilan is a Teacher's Assistant and the Exemplary School Employee nominee for the District 158 Early Childhood Center. Jeannie is an extremely hard worker and dedicated to her job. She arrives 45 minutes to an hour early every day to work extra (unpaid). She loves to sing and
dance! The kids love playing with her, especially Monster on the playground or chase in the motor room. Jeannie leaves no detail un-noticed. She is compassionate and loves her students. She makes working at ECC all the BETTER!

Danielle Tiedje is a teacher and the Exemplary School Educator for the District 158 Early Childhood Center. Danielle treats her students as individuals, integrates proven classroom management techniques, and uses proven strategies to keep her students engaged and learning. She is compassionate, welcoming and inclusive of students with different abilities. Danielle communicates well with parents and staff and shares ideas with fellow educators. She is ECC’s ROCKSTAR! 

 Daniel Corapi is a custodian and is the School Employee Award nominee for Marlowe Middle School. Dan is a "jack of all trades". What he does goes above and beyond every day. His radio never stops chirping for calls of assistance; help in the cafeteria, deliver copy paper, salt the sidewalks, unjam a locker, clean up a bathroom - all at the same time! Dan started the Snow Stangs club this year and attends every ski trip. He does it all with a smile and a willingness that is unmatched. Dan is the unsung HERO of Marlowe.

Amy Ehman is a Special Services Teacher and is the School Educator Nominee from Marlowe Middle School. Amy is the epitome of our district motto of "All Students Always". She works
tirelessly for her students and always goes above and beyond to make connections with her students and colleagues. She is honest, incredibly hard-working and dependable. Amy is a TEAM PLAYER and a person that is always willing to help and has a wonderful rapport with students and staff alike. 

 Abbe Colantonio is a Special Services SES Teacher and is the Exemplary School Educator nominee from Mackeben Elementary School. Abbe consistently differentiates and scaffolds instruction, behavior plans and assessments. She utilizes grade level standards as well as students IEP goals to develop a cohesive instructional plan that allows for student choice and positive reinforcement. Abbe also is able to successfully coordinate the paraprofessionals within her classroom. Abbe is a FANTASTIC educator that puts students first.

Barbara Schwemler is a Special Services Program Aide and is the Exemplary School Employee nominee from Mackeben Elementary School. Barb is an asset to her team. She understands each student as their own individual. She gets to know all the students she interacts with to help them reach their highest potential. Barb always perseveres! She focuses on the positive sides of all situations . Barb simply does it all - need help practicing letter sounds, tying shoes, picking out books, feeling successful…YES! Barb is simply AMAZING in every way!