Several area teachers honored by governor, ISBE

Classroom
Governor JB Pritzker and the ISBE honored 257 other teachers, educational leaders and support personnel with awards at the banquet.
(File photo courtesy Historic Bremen/flickr)

By HOI-ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Several central Illinois teachers were honored at this year’s Those Who Excel banquet over the weekend.

It was also the time when the Illinois State Board of Education chose its Teacher of the Year.

Eric Combs was selected as the 2020 Teacher of Year. Combs is a sixth- through eighth-grade band teacher at Richland County Middle School in Olney.

Governor JB Pritzker and the ISBE honored 257 other teachers, educational leaders and support personnel with awards at the banquet.

Teachers receiving honors from the Peoria, Bloomington, Normal areas are:

  • BHS Promise Council, Team, Excellence, Bloomington Public Schools District 87
  • Helen Brandon, Classroom Teacher, Excellence, Bloomington Public Schools District 87
  • Kayley Henderson, Early Career Educator, Meritorious, Bloomington Public Schools District 87
  • Barry Reilly, Administrator, Recognition, Bloomington Public Schools District 87
  • Mary Yount, School Board Member, Recognition, Bloomington Public Schools District 87
  • Danielle A. Cooley, Classroom Teacher, Meritorious, Le Roy Community Unit School District 2
  • Charles Crabtree, Community Volunteer, Excellence, McLean County Unit District 5
  • Leslie Davenport, Administrator, Meritorious, McLean County Unit District 5
  • Brock Keller, Early Career Educator, Recognition, McLean County Unit District 5
  • Elizabeth Kelley, Educational Service Personnel, Excellence, McLean County Unit District 5
  • Naomi Kosier, Student Support Personnel, Excellence, McLean County Unit District 5
  • April Schermann, Classroom Teacher, Meritorious, McLean County Unit District 5
  • Unit 5 Middle School ESL Team, Team, Recognition, McLean County Unit District 5
  • Alexandra Hembra, Classroom Teacher, Meritorious, Olympia Community Unit School District 16
  • Gerald R. Henderson, Educational Service Personnel, Recognition, Olympia Community Unit School District 16
  • Edward P. Jodlowski, Administrator, Excellence, Olympia Community Unit School District 16
  • Rebekka Schwartz, Early Career Educator, Excellence, Olympia Community Unit School District 16
  • Fabian Daniels, Administrator, Meritorious, Peoria Public Schools District 150
  • Erynn Dykstra, Community Volunteer, Excellence, Peoria Public Schools District 150
  • Hedy Elliott, Classroom Teacher, Recognition, Peoria Public Schools District 150
  • Junior League of Peoria Team, Team, Meritorious, Peoria Public Schools District 150
  • Jill Seaton, Student Support Personnel, Excellence, Peoria Public Schools District 150
  • Monica S. Wilson, Educational Service Personnel, Excellence, Peoria Public Schools District 150
  • Michelle Wolfe, Early Career Educator, Meritorious, Peoria Public Schools District 150

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