LANSING, Ill. (July 2, 2024) – District 158 staff and faculty were recognized at the 50th annual Illinois State Board of Education “Those Who Excel” award banquet on May 18. The award honors their work to support and positively impact students in the district.
District 158 Superintendent Dr. Nathan Schilling says District 158 has had staff recognized with Those Who Excel awards since 2021.
“We are greatly appreciative of the Illinois State Board of Education for running this banquet annually and recognizing staff members at all levels of school districts,” said Dr. Schilling. “Our recipients have included teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, PTA members, a local pastor, administrators, support staff like social workers and psychologists, community members, and a variety of educational teams.”
“It is an amazing feeling to know that the State values, supports, and champions all of the hardworking and dedicated employees who serve the school districts of Illinois,” he added.
According to the Illinois State Board of Education website, the Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year awards celebrate incredible classroom teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities.
Over 1,000 award recipients attended this year’s banquet including Dr. Schilling and two of the five Those Who Excel award recipients from District 158.
The banquet included an address from State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders and 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year Dr. Rachel Mahmood, a fifth-grade teacher at Georgetown Elementary in Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204.
Dr. Sanders presented the awards to the winners at the banquet.
Those Who Excel awardees from District 158
Those who attended the banquet and won awards are:
- Mrs. Yolanda Shields, Paraprofessional, Oak Glen Elementary School – Award of Special Recognition for Community Volunteer
- Ms. Anais Villalpando, 3rd Grade Teacher, Oak Glen Elementary School – Award of Special Recognition for Early Career Educator
- Dr. Nathan Schilling, Superintendent, Lansing School District 158 – Award of Meritorious Service for Administrator
District 158 additional honors:
- Mrs. Barb Maricich, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Memorial Junior High School – Award of Special Recognition for Teacher
- Mr. Mike Winters, Custodian, Reavis Elementary School – Award of Meritorious Service for Educational Service Personnel
Related
- District 158 staffers receive ‘Those Who Excel’ awards at state banquet (August 16, 2022)
