Awards Of Excellence Winners Announced In District 202

PLAINFIELD, IL — The District 202 Board of Education is recognizing 44 exceptional educators, staff, and community members through its 29th annual Awards of Excellence program.

The Board will not hold its annual awards ceremony this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Winners will receive their awards in person.

“Typically, we recognize about a dozen staff members each year,” said Board of Education Vice President Rod Westfall, who heads the Board’s recognition committee.

“But this year has been so extraordinary, and our teachers and staff have gone so far beyond what is normal that the Board decided to honor more people than usual,” he said.

“All of these employees have been exceptional this year and we are very proud and happy to recognize their hard work, talent, and dedication,” Westfall said.

The Awards of Excellence honor teachers and non-administrative staff who have significantly impacted their students, schools, and the community.

A committee of three Board members and the Board’s community ambassador picks the Awards of Excellence winners from nominations from students, staff, and parents. The Board of Education has honored 437 individuals since the Award’s inception in 1993.

The Board also presented the 6th annual Cheryl Ricciardi Exceptional Student Service Award to Ridge Elementary School Social Worker Amanda Lulek. This special honor recognizes a school-level certified student service worker for extraordinary dedication to students.

The Board will also present the Richard Ira Jones and Elizabeth “Bess” Eichelberger awards to two community members for significant service to District 202 and volunteerism. The Board will publicly announce those winners at its April 26, 2021 regular meeting.

The 2021 Awards of Excellence winners are:

Submitted by District 202