Head of the class: CU Schools Foundation to honor top teachers, staffers
May 1—The stars will be out Wednesday night at Riggs Beer in Urbana, site of the CU Schools Foundation's annual Spring Fling. Set to be saluted: nine teachers, who'll receive $250 cash and a $250 classroom grant with their Shining Star awards, and nine support staffers and paraprofessionals, who'll be given $250 and a thank you with their Super Star honors. Introducing the top teachers ...
usic and choir teacher, Urbana Middle School
"Students are excited to be a part of her classes and it shows by the growth in the choir department in the past four years," Claxon's nominator wrote of the educator who has taught students how to read music and sing songs in various languages and is known for adding fun and unusual twists to her classes. Among them: having students create their own soundtracks while learning about motion picture music.
, librarian, Westview Elementary
Nominated for her "endless energy" and "ever-flowing fountain of ideas," the popular Clinton has led projects to install a buddy bench and little free library at the Champaign school and raised money so every student in her book club could have their own copy. The host of morning "Coffee with Clinton," for Westview parents, also audited every classroom's book collection so libraries could be diversified and updated.
, coach and interventionist, Stratton Academy of the Arts
The title "does not come close to describing everything that Jeralyn does at Stratton," a nominator wrote of Goodfellow-Vargas, known for being the first person administrators at the Champaign elementary turn to when they need help solving a challenging problem. He roles also include helping run the school's social media account and building "relationships that support all students who need interventions to succeed."
, fifth-grade teacher, Dr. Howard Elementary
In addition to serving as a resource for math teachers in the building, Iehl "invites pre-service teachers into Dr. Howard classrooms so that the next generation of teachers get a bright start," her nominator wrote. The nationally board-certified 20-year Dr. Howard veteran also coordinates the elementary's America Reads/America Counts program and serves as the school's liaison for the UI's teacher preparation program.
, visual arts teacher, Dr. Williams Elementary
In his first year on staff, "Les has created a new way of doing art in the building. They have upended the usual instructional format by inviting students to sign up for different activities such as crocheting, sewing and zine-making and coming in groups from different classrooms for that activity," his nominator wrote. Students have taken to his message of "be yourself" and treat everyone with warmth, love and respect.
, P.E. teacher, Carrie Busey Elementary
In addition to coordinating and overseeing the Savoy school's annual Fun Day, Olson "works with all K-5 students with an incredibly wide range of development and abilities" and "can adapt activities so that all students absolutely love going to P.E.," her nominator wrote. The activities she offers run the gamut between traditional and non-traditional, including a school wide 3K run, "so that all students are engaged."
, music teacher, Franklin STEAM Academy
The 10th-year music/strings educator is "focused first and foremost on creating a positive student experience," his nominator wrote. "He makes it clear that he is excited to see the students and always sets an enthusiastic tone for the lesson." He's also known for collaborating with other music teachers to organize concerts and taking leadership roles among his colleagues to improve Unit 4's music department.
, English teacher, Urbana High
Also the creative force behind the high school's yearbook and student newspaper, Tufano has made her 10th-to-12th grade English classrooms "a vibrant hub of discussion, analysis and discovery." She's there whenever needed for her fellow educators, as well, her nominator added: "Felicia is a mentor to new teachers and a supportive colleague who willingly shares her expertise and resources with fellow teachers."
, English teacher, Central High
It's a fitting honor, this being the year that she went "above and beyond her usual duties by taking on the responsibility of developing and successfully implementing a brand-new course and curriculum: the College Board AP African American Studies course," her nominator wrote. Her students have been treated to guest speeches from district leaders, community activists, university professors and former students.
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Teacher's Aide, South Side Elementary
Teacher's assistant, Urbana High
MARIO GAMIZ
Multi-lingual teacher's assistant, Urbana High
Student support advocate, assistant football coach, Centennial High
Custodian, Barkstall Elementary
Teacher's aide, Edison Middle School
Office manager, International Prep Academy
Attendance secretary, Leal Elementary
Special education teacher's aide, Westview Elementary
