Schools
Woodridge 68 Teachers: Heroes in the Classroom
Meadowview teachers Jenny Bell & Maggie Nickels selected by Chicago Bears and presented with Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award
Jenny Bell and Maggie Nickels, 6th grade teachers at Meadowview Elementary School in Woodridge School District 68, were presented with the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom award. They were selected by the Chicago Bears from hundreds of other nominations to receive this award, only 16 teachers from the Chicago-area per football season are selected. They were surprised at a school assembly with the award and recognition they deserve. Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Nickels were nominated by Meadowview Principal Dr. Kelly Neylon because “they both believe that there is no learning without a positive relationship with their students and their students' families…Both of these teachers are relentless in building students' abilities to advocate for themselves and get what they need to be successful…We have kids that have been out of college come back asking for Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Nickels. They are not your typical teachers. They are teachers who kids remember because they made a difference in their lives.”
The teachers will be recognized at the November 24th Bears home game against the New York Giants. They each received two tickets to the game and VIP sideline access to the field during warm-ups to meet the players. Maggie and Jenny will be recognized on the video board during the first quarter and were presented with their own personalized Bears jersey and other prizes.
Nickels shared her appreciation by saying, “Receiving the Heroes in the Classroom Award is an honor because it makes you feel that someone appreciates all of the time and effort you put into your students, school, district, and community. I am proud to share this award with my teaching partner, Jenny Bell, and our students because we are ALL in this together.”
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"The Heroes in the Classroom award affirms the importance of the relationships that teachers build with students. I am honored to work with Maggie Nickels at Meadowview. It's our team of students, parents, principal, and colleagues that make us all successful," said Bell.
As part of the award, they will each also receive a $2,000 donation to the school for use in her classroom.