This year, three Sterling teachers were awarded the Sterling Schools Foundation Dr. James A. Garnett Teacher of the Year award.  Students, parents, colleagues, administrators, alumni, or community members nominated each of the winners who received $500, a certificate, and district-wide recognition for his or her dedication to teaching.
            The winner at the high school level was Mrs. Jennifer Drew.  Drew has been teaching at SHS for three years, prior to which she worked as a substitute teacher.  Drew graduated from Prophetstown High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree at Augustana College, and completed her Master’s degree through the University of Phoenix.  She teaches both English and the new publications course, which is responsible for publishing the school newspaper, Warrior Word, every few months, as well as assembling the yearbook.  Prior to Drew’s arrival at SHS, these publications had been non-existent or falling behind, but her competent direction has led them to thrive once again.  Drew is a dedicated teacher, often staying after school to tutor students who need extra help.  She is also respected by her colleagues and shares with them her successful lesson plans, as well as her passion for her job.  As Lead Teacher within the Freshman Academy, Drew is responsible for organizing meetings, field trips, conferences, fundraising efforts, and other programs.  This position also makes her the liaison between the Freshman Academy and the District, the Technology Department, and the counselors.  “It is quite a juggling act,” stated her recommendation, “and Jennifer does it with a smile.”  However, Drew is not confined to classroom work alone.  As the advisor of the English Club, she dedicates extra hours to help with such activities as the prose and poetry read which the English Club held last year.  She also assists the club with fundraising, working alongside students in the concession stand.  Drew decided to become a teacher after being inspired by her father, who taught for thirty years; she aspires to impact students’ lives just as he did.  Her favorite aspect of the job, therefore, is working with students, although she also enjoys being able to keep memories alive with the yearbook. Drew lives with her husband Matt, her son Caleb, and a black lab named Max.  Her hobbies include reading, attending her son’s sporting events, and watching HGTV.  Next year, Drew will continue teaching at SHS, overseeing the yearbook, the Warrior Word, and the English Club.  Drew is honored to receive this award after teaching only three years and hopes to continue to grow as an educator.  As far as excellence goes, it is clear that she is well on her way.
            The recipient of the Teacher of the Year award from Challand Middle School is Mr. Pat Foltz.  Foltz, who graduated from Mt. Carroll High School and received his degree from Western Illinois University, has been teaching for ten years.  He is currently teaching sixth-grade science and language arts at Challand Middle School, where he has been a leader in the use of technology.  Foltz uses PowerPoint presentations as a teaching tool and encourages students to create and present their own projects.  In addition, he maintains a website containing, among other features, pictures of class projects, videos of the class play, and links to other educational websites.  Recently, he required his students to link their own websites to his, giving them experience in working with technology.  Foltz believes he works best when part of a team and is considered a team player by his peers.  He enjoys building relationships with his colleagues and working with other people who care about teaching.  Foltz is a friendly teacher who serves as a role model for students and peers alike.  He is enthusiastic, persevering, and patient.  Foltz decided to enter the teaching field at his wife’s suggestion, and he realized it just made sense.  His favorite aspect of being a teacher is being “in the classroom,” interacting with his students.  When he is not teaching, Foltz enjoys fishing, biking, camping, and reading with his wife, Keta, and two daughters, Isabelle and Ellanore.  His nominator said of him: “He works hard all year, studying, planning, modeling, teaching, assessing, and then reteaching in order to reach each and every student in his classroom.  His perseverance is admirable.  He became a role model to both his students and his colleagues.”  Perhaps the best way to summarize Foltz’s attitude towards teaching is the Steve Irwin quote displayed on his website: “I believe that education is all about being excited about something.  Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.”  Foltz’s enthusiasm for his students and his job not only makes him a valuable teacher to have in the district, but he also instills in his students a valuable love of learning.
            The winner of the award for the Elementary School Teacher of the Year award was Mrs. Jodi Perez.  Perez has been teaching for thirty-four years, all of which were at Unit 5.  She graduated from Rock Falls High School before attending first Sauk Valley Community College and then Milliken University.  Perez, who recently retired, taught kindergarten at Jefferson School.  During her years as a teacher, Perez competently incorporated the newest teaching research into her classroom, being flexible with her teaching methods in order to adapt to both her students’ needs and new scientific findings.  A faculty member and grandmother of a student said, “I was lucky enough to work with Mrs. Perez and see her in action with the students, but my grandson said it best when he said ‘I like her because she teaches me new things every day.’”  Perez is caring and friendly to all students and has a special gift for working with special needs children.  In her relationships with her colleagues Perez demonstrated kindness and a willingness to help others.  She is characterized by her high expectations for herself and her students and was described in her nomination as being “a model of professionalism.”  Perez’s decision to become a teacher was influenced by her mother, who also taught for many years.  Perez said that teaching has always felt natural to her.  Her favorite aspect of the job is working with children and observing the growth and change they experience in just nine months.  She also enjoys the challenge of keeping the interest of all her learners.  In retirement, Perez looks forward to reading and gardening.  As stated by her nominator, “This is an award that Jodi could have been nominated for and won many times over the course of her career, but this seems to be a fitting time to honor a teacher with her credentials.  She is more than deserving of the Teacher of the Year award because she is the Teacher of the Year to her students every day of the year.”  Congratulations to Jennifer Drew, Pat Foltz, and Jodi Perez.