2026 Award Recipients

Early Career Educator * Stephanie Perella, WILCO

Classroom Teacher * Andrea Paplaski-Grygiel, Plainfield School District 202

Teacher of Diverse Learners * Jennifer Hesek, Homer 33C

Certified Student Support Staff * Sharon Youngblood, Mokena 159

Non-Certified Student Support Staff * Sharon Welch, Troy 30C

School Support Personnel * Deddrrick Lewis, Joliet 86

Building Principal * Jaime Koziol, Lockport 91

Community Volunteer and Advocate * Christine Jelinek, Taft 90

Innovation in Education * Timothy Baldermann, Union 81

Lifetime Achievement * Jim Havlin, New Lenox 122