Yorkville Teacher Earns Top Employee Honors

YORKVILLE, IL — To recognize the achievements of Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 employees and supporters, the Yorkville Educational Foundation hosted its annual Fostering Our Future Awards on Wednesday. The April 17 celebration drew more than 200 people to the Kendall County Fairgrounds.

The foundation set out to recognize the recipients of awards in eight categories, including the Golden Fox Award, which honors the district’s employee of the year. A panel of judges this year bestowed Leslie Kresslin with this honor, as well as the Educator of the Year Award for Early childhood through sixth grade. Currently, Kresslin is a third-grade teacher at Circle Center Grade School.

“Leslie’s impressive nomination, which included submissions by her colleagues and parents of her students, had a significant impact on the judges,” Yorkville Educational Foundation President Alicia Lingane said in a statement. “The innovation she brings into the classroom, the ways in which she inspires her colleagues, and the passion for education that she fosters in her students distinguished her as a positive role model for all employees.”

Among those in attendance for the celebration were community members, business leaders, alumni, donors, district employees and parents.

Also receiving top awards at the event were Stephanie Prentice, Circle Center Grade School third-grade teacher, Rookie of the Year Award; Mickey Nauman, Yorkville High School business teacher, Educator of the Year for Grades 7-12 Award; Robin Owens, Grande Reserve Elementary School library paraprofessional, Non-Certified Employee of the Year Award; Josh Slavin, Timeout 4 Kids founder, Partner of the Year Award; Sherri Farley, Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, and Melissa Wojowski, Yorkville High School Field Experience Program coordinator, Project of the Year Award; and Shawn Harris, district parent, Spirit of the Fox Award.