• SHSD161 Claims Seven ISBE Awards

     



    Summit Hill School District 161 staff members earned seven awards in the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) 2023 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards.

    The SHSD161 staff members who were recognized for their work include:

     

    Jennifer Adams, District PEL Nurse | Student Support Personnel, Meritorious Service

    Arbury Hills Individualized Instruction Team: (pictured left to right) Steven Gibson, Shannon Dempsey, Stephanie Studer, Rozie Hornig, Melanie Berger, Laura Jo Defalco, Daneen Klauba, Lauren Baker, Monica Ruiz, and (not pictured) Bernie Swiatkowski | Team, Meritorious Service

    Jen Battistoni, Hilda Walker Intermediate School 6th Grade Special Education Teacher | Teacher, Special Recognition

    Erik Donovan, Hilda Walker Intermediate School 6th Grade Resource Teacher | Teacher, Meritorious Service

    Karen Steinke, Hilda Walker Intermediate School Paraprofessional | Educational Support Personnel, Meritorious Service

    Lisa Strzykalski, Grades 3-4 STEM Teacher (All Elementary Schools) | Teacher, Special Recognition

    Sara Szewczyk, Summit Hill Junior High School 7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher | Teacher, South Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year

     

    In addition, as the 2023 South Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year, Summit Hill Junior High School 7th grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher Sara Szewczyk is one of 13 finalists for the organization’s Illinois Teacher of the Year – the state’s top honor for classroom teachers.

    “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by our Illinois State Board of Education, so for our district to receive seven awards in the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program is an incredible achievement and I could not be prouder,” said Superintendent Dr. Paul McDermott. “Our staff continues to create learning environments that are enjoyable, challenging, rewarding and relevant to our students, and our district is building momentum as we plan for the future."

    Since 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams. ISBE honored 490 Illinoisans for their extraordinary contributions to education across our state this year.