D300 Foundation Announces 2019 Educator & Employee of the Year

Algonquin, IL -- The School District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence announced the 2019 Distinguished Educator and Employee of the Year at its annual awards celebration. Jesus Romero, who teaches a preschool class within Lakewood Elementary School, and Brandann Freeman, custodian at Perry Elementary School, were presented with the awards at Pinstripes South Barrington on April 16, 2019.

The event, which had more than 400 attendees, honored all teachers and school employees nominated by each of District 300’s 26 schools, as well as recipients of 2019-20 Innovation and Large Project Grants from the Foundation. Grants awarded this year totaled over $30,000.

Educator of the Year Jesus Romero: Innovative preschool teacher “pours his heart into his work”

Romero came to District 300 from Spain 5 years ago as part of the Visiting Teachers in the USA and Canada Program, an international exchange program supported by the Ministry of Education/Embassy of Spain and several departments of education and school districts across the United States and Canada. Within a short time teaching at Lakewood, and deLacey Family Education Center prior to that, Romero attained Gold status for a quality preschool classroom through the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale and Classroom Assessment Scoring System.

The committee of Lakewood teachers and administrators who nominated Romero said he uses a variety of innovative educational strategies, including trauma-informed practices. He leads students through yoga and meditation, for example, to ensure they are able to focus and engage in learning. A talented guitar and ukulele player and singer, Romero also incorporates music into lessons. He even wrote and recorded the deLacey school theme song, relating it to the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support expectations. In addition, he develops monthly “parent university” classes where family members can learn about the academic and social-emotional learning students are doing and how they can use those strategies at home.

“Jesus has an incredible amount of patience and dedication to helping students learn and develop. He pours his heart into his work and always looks for ways to better meet their needs,” said Lakewood Principal Brittany Porsche.

Eberto Mora, who recruited Romero from Spain in 2014 and has continued to provide professional support for him and the 17 other dual-language educators participating in the Spain exchange program, said seeing Romero named Distinguished Educator of the Year was “bittersweet.” This is Romero’s last semester teaching in District 300 through the program, which last 3 years and can be extended for an additional 2 years, as Romero’s was.

“We were all happy he won, because he has been such a great asset to the district and is so deserving of this recognition,” Mora said. “But everyone is sorry that his time in District 300 ends next month.”

Employee of the Year Brendann Freeman: Passionate listener & problem-solver always ready to help

Brendann Freeman, who has worked in District 300 for 15 years, was named Employee of the Year. Principal Kris Sainsbury said Freeman works tirelessly every day to make sure every classroom is ready for learning, maintaining the building with passion and care and serving as a positive role model for students.

“He builds relationships with our students and is a listening ear for those who need him the most,” Sainsbury said. “During lunch time, you will hear him having conversations about student's future and what impact school will have on their future. When someone is in need, or comes to him with a problem, he is quick to problem-solve so that everyone is able to learn and continue with their day. When a student is struggling with being emotionally prepared to learn, he is willing to lend a helping hand.”

As a second job, Freeman works at Circle of Friends in another District 300 school and also has worked for Boys and Girls Club. “This is where he developed his experience of mentoring students and positively impacting students,” Sainsbury said. “His huge heart provides him with the motivation to want to make a difference for kids.”

Romero and Freeman each awarded $500.00 for their schools’ libraries, donated by Lamp Inc.

The District 300 Foundation for Educational Excellence, established in 2002 by a group of community volunteers, seeks to enhance and extend learning opportunities for all District 300 students. The Distinguished Educator of the Year award recognizes teachers who display innovative instruction techniques to motivate learners, maximize student achievement and help lead colleagues down the same path toward exemplary education environments.

Other 2019 Distinguished Educator & Employee of the Year nominees

• Louann Acevedo, Liberty Elementary
• Andrew Bero, Dundee-Crown High
• Matthew Bishop, Dundee Middle
• Michelle Burgwaldt, Jacobs High

• Norma Castillo-Pasillas, Dundee Highlands Elementary
• Allison Schultz, Algonquin Lakes Elementary
• Jackie Skaleski, Gary D Wright Elementary
• Ann Wenzel, Carpentersville Middle
• Shari Young, Hampshire Middle
• Yolanda Zaccard, Hampshire High

• Chris Cherry, Hampshire High
• Ashley Clark, Carpentersville Middle
• Stephanie Dean, Lake in the Hills Elementary
• Maria deLosada, Golfview Elementary
• Mary Dewees, Neubert Elementary
• Corey Dexter, Sleepy Hollow Elementary
• Amy Ellingson, Lakewood Elementary
• Jay Gilly , Oak Ridge School
• Karen Guenther, deLacey Family Education Center
• Tammy Hamrick, Hampshire Middle
• Leisa Hastings, Eastview Elementary
• Jeff Herman, OakRidge School
• Joan Holub, Westfield Community
• Tina Jacobson, Neubert Elementary
• Sara Johansen, Sleepy Hollow Elementary
• Susan Karst, Dundee-Crown High
• Linda Keyes, Central Office
• Megan Klotter, Algonquin Lakes Elementary
• Sharon Kriegel, Hampshire Elementary
• Pam Kublank, Eastview Elementary
• Debra La Rue, Perry Elementary
• Maripat Leddy, Algonquin Middle
• Michele Mannella, Liberty Elementary
• Anna Martin, Algonquin Middle
• Kate McCarthy, Dundee Middle
• Oscar Medina, Golfview Elementary
• Jennifer Nolan, Hampshire Elementary
• Lora Pfeiffer, Parkview Elementary
• Christina Rayner, Meadowdale Elementary
• Zachary Poore, Lake in the Hills Elementary
• Edwin Ramirez, Gilberts Elementary
• Eric Rivera, Lincoln Prairie Elementary
• Vanesa Rivera, Meadowdale Elementary
• Joseph Santucci, Parkview Elementary
• Andrea Schloss, Lincoln Prairie Elementary

• Amber Socaciu, Dundee Highlands Elementary
• Cristie Stanek, Gilberts Elementary
• Theresa Tuttle, Gary D Wright Elementary
• Karl Ulrich, Jacobs High
• Sarah Wille, deLacey Family Education Center
• Megan Williams, Westfield Community

For more information about the Distinguished Educator of the Year Award, the Distinguished Employee Award, or any of the Foundation Grant awards, please contact Pat Ehmann, Foundation Administrative Assistant, at patricia.ehmann@d300.org. View some of the projects and grants the D300 Foundation has funded by visiting www.d300foundation.org.