Glen Ellyn School District 41 Teacher Educator of the Year

Katie Luehrs was surprised by the sheer speed of it all. One day, she was told by a friend and co-worker that she had been nominated for educator of the year. The next, she found out she had won.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I always kind of knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Luehrs, a native of Crystal Lake said. “When I was in high school, I tutored a lot of my friends in class and I was really good at explaining things.”

She became a teacher seven years ago and has only ever taught at Hadley Middle School. She taught 7th and 8th grade math last year.

“I taught a lot of English as a Second Language students in my math classes and I really liked working with them,” she said.

So she went back to school to teach ESL full time.

This year, she teaches ESL students exclusively.

“I teach one math class - specifically working on math (for ESL students),” she said. “I have three math extension classes, which is for all levels of ESL kids and I teach two writing classes.

“We’re specifically working on building their English writing skills.”

Luehrs said.

In addition to her regular teaching duties, Luehrs said she also runs an after-school program.

“I run an after school club; it’s like an ESL club,” she said.

The club is for any current or former ESL students and gives them a place to work on homework.

She began the club last year in conjunction with a local non-profit. This year, it is run without that outside non-profit.

The award was also announced at Hadley Middle School over the intercom. Luehrs said.

“It was an announcement on the intercom the day before the awards banquet, so they all found out,” she said.

“They all said congratulations, we love you, you’re a good teacher,” she said. “Most of them said, what is it, what did you get, what is this.”

The awards event was held March 7 and Luehrs said her mother, father, sister and brother attended.

“It was really nice,” she said. “My principal gave a really great speech.”