Twelve Troy 30-C Teachers Named "Great Teachers"

The Joliet Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry named 12 Troy Community School District 30-C teachers as “2021 Great Teachers,” with awards given during a virtual ceremony in February.

“It is clear that passion runs deep in our staff,” Troy Superintendent Dr. Todd Koehl said. “We could not be more proud of these honorees and all of our staff.”

Koehl thanked the chamber for its Great Teachers program.

“We are grateful to the Joliet Chamber of Commerce for their perennial support of education in our community,” he said. “This award allows us to honor the great work of the teaching staff we are fortunate to have at Troy.”

The Great Teachers Award celebrates the success of outstanding educators in the Joliet area who have a passion for education, both personally and professionally. Teachers were nominated by peers, administrators, students and members of the community.

Nominees are certified, highly effective full-time teachers in grades pre-K through 12 in the public and private schools of the Joliet area. Each has a minimum of three years teaching experience. The program is part of the chamber’s Education Committee.

Troy teachers named Great Teachers this year are:

Troy Craughwell Elementary School:

Stacey Brainard, 4th grade teacher, and Jennifer Mialkowski, 1st grade teacher.

Troy Heritage Trail Elementary School:

Anne Bjelland, 4th grade teacher, and Michelle Buell, preschool teacher.

Troy Hofer Elementary School:

Jeannette Hennke, kindergarten teacher; Kimberly Pokrajac, 1st grade teacher; and Chrissy Santerelli, 4th grade teacher.

Troy Middle School:

Susan Rogina, 8th grade English language arts teacher; Jennifer Silverman, 8th grade English language arts teachers; and Rebecca Speech, 7th grade art teacher.

William B. Orenic Intermediate School:

Caitlin Dalton, special education teacher, and Theresa Oberding, differential instruction coach.