Local educator named Teacher of the Year finalist

Posted on September 5, 2019
Bloomington Junior High School sixth-grade teacher Helen Brandon. (Photo District 87)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A District 87 teacher has been named a finalist for the 2020 Illinois Teacher of the Year program.

Helen Brandon, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Bloomington Junior High School, is one of 10 finalists for the award.

Other finalists are from Springfield, Rockton, Elmhurst, Palatine, Northlake, Matteson, Aviston, and Belleville.

“Being a teacher means being a leader, a creative thinker, a problem-solver, a caregiver, an advocate, and a bridge between students and their futures,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen Ayala.  “I am deeply honored to recognize Illinois’ 2020 Illinois Teacher of the Year finalists.”

The finalists are selected by a committee of administrators, teachers, student support personnel, and past teachers of the year.

The 2019 selection was Susan Converse, a special education teacher from Edwardsville High School.

The State Board of Education will announce the 2020 Illinois Teacher of the Year during a banquet at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on Oct. 19.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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