COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
ALUMNI AWARDS
Redbird Educators who soar above and beyond
Every year, the College of Education hosts multiple award programs that honor educators who demonstrate excellence in education and carry on the Illinois State legacy of “Gladly we learn and teach.” These honors recognize alumni who serve to inspire others through their career, citizenship, and character.
Redbird Educator Teaching Awards
The Redbird Educator Teaching Awards celebrate and recognize outstanding Redbird teachers who are committed to teaching and are making an impact in their classrooms and communities.
LABORATORY SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The Teacher of the Year Awards recognize teacher education alumni across the University and Laboratory Schools faculty associates who are committed to teaching and are excelling in the classroom.
Crystal Patterson ’89, M.S. ’20, is a third- and fourth-grade social studies and ELA teacher at Metcalf.
ALUMNI TEACHER LEGACY AWARD
The Alumni Teacher Legacy Award is a lifetime career achievement award for Illinois State alumni who are current or retired teachers who have taught for at least 20 years.
Laura Baumgardner ’90, M.S. ’01, is a retired special education teacher who taught at Pontiac Township High School.
Sarah Henkel ’00, M.S. ’11, is an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Mendota Elementary School.
Jamie Karavouzis ’00 is a life studies teacher and daycare director for Wheeling High School.
Tina Thomas ’91, M.S. ’95, is an English language development teacher for Stevenson Elementary School in Bloomington District 87.
TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes Illinois State alumni who have been teaching for at least 10 years and demonstrate outstanding commitment to their students, school, and community.
Lauren Butts ’11, M.S. ’21, is a special education teacher at Bloomington High School.
Margherita DiVita ’06, M.S. ’09, is a family and consumer sciences teacher at Normal Community High School.
Jaclyn Hattermann ’10 is the general music teacher and choir director at Edison Junior High School in Pekin.
Emma Long-Ingram ’12 is a K-12 art educator for Lexington School District.
Stefanie McCleish ’07 is an English teacher at Buffalo Grove High School.
Kristin Richey ’08 is a literacy specialist at Westmont Junior High School.
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame is a lifetime career achievement honor that recognizes College of Education graduates who have distinguished themselves through significant accomplishments and contributions to the field of education.
Sylvester Davis ’99, M.S. ’04, is an associate principal and athletic director at Kingsley Junior High in McLean County Unit 5 School District.
Dr. Herschel Hannah, M.S. ’94, Ed.D. ’04, is a retired assistant superintendent for Bloomington District 87 and current coach and mentor for the Illinois Principals Association.
Mary Keltner-King ’03 is an early childhood education teacher for Peoria Public Schools District 150.
Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl ’81 is a professor and NoVo Foundation Endowed Chair in Social and Emotional Learning at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Matt Walsh ’04 is an English language/bilingual teacher at Francis Granger Middle School in Indian Prairie School District 204.
LEGACY AWARD
The Legacy Award is a career lifetime achievement award that honors and recognizes College of Education graduates or friends who have made a lasting and meritorious contribution to their chosen field.
JoAnn Hartman ’54, M.S. ’68, was honored posthumously and was a retired elementary school teacher in McLean County Unit 5 School District.
Nancy Northrip ’80 is a retired gymnastics gym owner and volunteers on many education boards, including the Golden Apple Foundation.
Outstanding Young Alumni
The Outstanding Young Alumni award recognizes College of Education graduates (those 10 or less years from their bachelor's degree) who have made significant contributions early in their careers.
Annie Burke ’20 is a second-grade teacher at Byron Community Unit School District 226.
Jessica Ochoa ’23 is a first-grade dual language teacher at Champaign Unit 4 School District.