From left to right: Amanda Christensen, DeKalb County Regional Superintendent; Yvonne Johnson, Philanthropist; Jonathan Liechty, Recipient; Shelly Tripp, Recipient; Kendra Brauer, Recipient; Barb Evenson, Recipient; Ryan Janisch, Recipient; Dan Templin, DeKalb County Community Foundation Executive Director
The DeKalb County Excellence in Education Awards were presented this week at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center. This is the 17th year of this annual award to recognize five DeKalb County school employees, one in each of five categories: Teacher Grades PreK-5, Teacher Grades 6-8, Teacher Grades 9-12, Administrator, and Support Staff.
Yvonne Johnson, retired elementary school teacher in the Sycamore School District, has established an endowed fund with the DeKalb County Community Foundation to make these awards possible.
Amanda Christensen, Regional Superintendent, said, “I’m delighted Yvonne Johnson has created this program to reward excellence in our profession. These individuals represent all of the talented people working in our schools.”
Dan Templin, Executive Director of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, stated, “Nominations were a joint effort from teachers, administrators and the community. This program recognizes those who are respected and admired for playing an active role in their schools and communities. They inspire a love of learning in their students.”
Each of the winners will receive a $1,000 award, an engraved clock, and a personalized medallion. A non-partisan committee made the final determination from the 22 nominees. The 2016 recipients are:
- Kendra Brauer is a 2nd grade teacher at Kingston Elementary School in the Genoa School District.
- Shelly Tripp is a 6th Grade Math Teacher at Sandwich Middle School.
- Jonathan Liechty is a high school social studies and math teacher at Somonauk High School.
- Barb Evenson is a paraprofessional and custodian for Hiawatha School district.
- Ryan Janisch is the Principal of North Grove Elementary School in Sycamore School District.
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