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For Immediate Release
March 10, 2005
Illinois State Board of Education announces finalists
For State Teacher of the Year
Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois State Board of
Education (ISBE) has announced today the names of seven
finalists for recognition as the 2005 Illinois Teacher
of the Year. The finalists, representing urban and rural
schools across the state, are selected from nominees through
the ISBE’s Illinois State Board of Education’s
Those Who Excel educator recognition program.
“Through their expertise and unflagging enthusiasm,
these teachers create positive learning experiences for
students,” Dunn said. “It’s a privilege
to honor these educators, each of whom exemplifies excellence
in teaching. We congratulate them for their commitment
to teaching and learning.”
Nearly 200 nominations were reviewed this year by a selection
committee comprised of 32 volunteer administrators, teachers,
school board members, representatives from educational
service personnel, student support personnel, parent/teacher
organizations and former Teachers of the Year.
Each nomination is individually reviewed and scored three
times. Nominations are scored based on personal background
information, the nominators’ recommendations and
letters of recommendation from a teacher, administrator,
student, parent and community member. In addition scoring
includes the nominee’s responses to questions focusing
on student success, collaboration, continuous learning
and leadership. The composite scores determine the level
of recognition nominees receive— (Excellence, Merit,
Recognition, or Certificate of Appreciation.).
Teachers scoring at the Award of Excellence level become
finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year. Following
scoring and notifications, each finalist is interviewed
on videotape about educational issues and personal philosophies.
The interviews are reviewed by a group of former Illinois
Teachers of the Year who narrow the field to the top two
or three teachers. The top candidates’ nominations
and tapes are submitted to the State Superintendent who
makes the final decision.
Illinois’ 2005 Teacher of the Year will be the announced
during the Those Who Excel awards banquet April 16, 2005,
at the Holiday Inn Select in Decatur. The winner represents
Illinois at NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama and
in the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored
by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic,
Inc.
The 2004 Illinois Teacher of the Year was Deborah Perryman
who teaches environmental science and biology at Elgin
High School in Elgin (School District U-46).
Illinois Teacher of the Year Finalists
- Jacqueline E. Bolger from Hononegah Community
High School in Rockton, teaches French to students in
grades 9-12.
- Mark S. Fenske teaches fifth grade at Alan
Shepard Intermediate School in Bourbonnais.
- Scott W. Hollmaier teaches physical education
to sixth through eighth grade students at Viking Middle
School in Gurnee.
- Roberta M. Maubach is a third grade teacher
at Thomas Metcalf School in Normal.
- Jason Pierce from Highland Middle School in
Highland is a special education teacher.
- Janet F. Salmon from Highland Park High School
in Highland Park teaches social studies, American studies,
and AP psychology.
- Mark F. Vondracek of Evanston Township High
School in Evanston teaches physics to high school juniors
and seniors.
In addition, Ann McWhorter Pastucha, a science
teacher at Washington Middle School in Peoria, will receive
the award of excellence for teaching. Mrs. Pastucha will
retire this year after twenty-two years of teaching.
Nominations for Those Who Excel were made by administrators,
teachers, parents, students, or any person who knows an
outstanding educator. Nominations for the 2006 Those Who
Excel/Illinois Teacher of the Year program will be distributed
in the spring in preparation for the program’s return
to a fall event.
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