Two District 202 veteran teachers were honored by the Illinois State Board of Education with Those Who Excel Awards of Meritorious Service in May.
Rebecca Young, Learning Specialist at Aux Sable Middle School, and Lead Instructional Coach for District 202; and Caroline Butler, who teaches English and journalism, runs the student newspaper, and coaches girls’ golf at Plainfield South High School, have a combined 32 years teaching experience.
The award honors educators who have made significant contributions to public and private elementary and secondary schools.
The educators honored shape their school community for the better and strive to be of service in unfamiliar domains.
Butler and Young said they were grateful for and humbled by the award. They were recognized during a ceremony on May 18.
“I truly love being a teacher and this award means a lot to me,” Young said.
Butler said she did not expect to be nominated because she knows other educators who also deserve accolades.
“They inspire me to do my best for our students, and I truly feel this is a shared honor among peers,” she said.
A former student nominated Butler and Laura Shervino, District Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, nominated Young.
Each nominee must submit personal essays and letters of recommendation from the principal, a colleague, and a student or parent, Young said.
Young wrote about her journey to becoming a teacher, her work on helping students observe Ramadan, and her focus on cross-curricular connections as Aux Sable pilots the middle school model.
She praised the work of other District 202 teachers who do amazing things every day.
“I hope to pay it forward and nominate these amazing teachers in the years to come so they can be recognized as well,” Young said.
Butler said the former student nominated her because Butler helped her feel welcome at Plainfield South High School and never gave up on her when she struggled.
Butler has witnessed students from all backgrounds and skills come together to make a difference in the community through journalism, she said.
“They really can touch hearts and motivate minds, and when I see them do so, it makes my part in the process priceless,” Butler said of teaching journalism.
The ISBE has sponsored the Those Who Excel Awards since 1970.