Home State Bank & Star 105.5
Wish to Congratulate the January "Teacher of the Month" Kelli Kanaly
of Zion Lutheran School
All Teachers selected as Teacher of the Month will be considered for the "Teacher of the Year" award at the end of the 2009-2010 School year.
The Teacher selected as "Teacher of the Year" will receive a free Laptop computer courtesy of STAR 105.5 in conjunction with Home State Bank!
Jaunary Teacher of the Month
Pictured are Kelli Kanaly (left) First Grade Teacher at Zion Lutheran School in Marengo, Michele Hellyer, nominated Miss Kanaly (center), Gina Stellard of Home State Bank and Raina Kellyer Miss Kanaly student.
Miss Kanaly was born to teach. She demonstrates such a wonderful balance of innovative and traditional education. She implements many creative events into the students year such as Paeyton the Penguin, where a stuffed penguin spends a week with the child. Each day or each significant event with Paeyton, the child draws a picture and writes a sentence telling what they did together. My daughter is in first grade with Miss Kanaly and even though we are in the second quarter of school, she still comes home inspired and excited to tell me about her day. Miss Kanaly does a great job keeping the parents involved with joint assignments and even has one special guest each week come in to read to the kids. It can be a mom, dad, grandparent or aunt/uncle. We all feel part of the class and she displays the passion and heartfelt love of teaching that I feel should be recognized. If you were to ask each parent to vote, they would all say definately! Also, I believe all students who have been in her class will at one point of their life remember the great experience and maybe be inspired to also become a teacher to mirror her example.
Michele Hellyer
Pictured are Miss Kanaly and her students past & present.
Pictured are Miss Kelli Kanaly (center), Mr. Bill Steltehpohl Principal Zion Lutheran School and Gina Stellard of Home State Bank.
December Teacher of the Month
Kathy Monteleone of Home State Bank presents Gary Swick of Dundee Crown High School with the December 'Teacher of the Month' award.
Gary is a teacher that cares very much for the enviroment and his students. He was one of my teachers in high school and now he is one of my son's teachers. He is going to retire next year and if any teacher in Illinois deserves this award he does. I started high school in 1975 and I heard the other students talking about this teacher and what a great teacher he was, and my son says it is the same way today 34 years later. He has been given every kind of award for his care of our enfiroment. But never for the great teacher he has been for over 30 years. If any teacher deserves it this one does! Thanks.
Ron Mabe
Pictured with Gary Swick are (left to right) Gail Blanchard Counsellor at Dundee Crown, Gary, Liz Wood Teacher at Dundee Crown & Kathy Monteleone of Home State Bank.
Pictured are (left to right) Barbara Sydnor Science Divisional at Dundee Crown, Gary Swick & Kathy Monteleone of Home State Bank.
November Teacher of the Month
Stacey Kubis of Home State Bank presents Wendy Kirk a First Grade teacher at Ringwood Elementary in Johnsburg with the November 'Teacher of the Month' award.
As told by Gabrielle, in Gabrielle's words:
She has a bunny and it comes to school! if we sit on the rug criss cross applesauce and with our hands hooked up we may get a treat! Mrs. Kird is so nice. She calls us friends and gives us hugs. She reads us funny books, I love to listen to them! Mrs. Kirk tells us stories about her kids & her baby Mila, she has red hair. She teached me how to read! Now I can read my special Mermaid book! I couldn't read in Kindergarten, but now I can read chapters! Cool! Now I know some of th ewords my mom spells on the phone. I just love Mrs. Kirk, I think she is the greatest and bestest teacher ever!
Gabrielle Shedbalkar-Harden
Mrs. Kirk has been a wonderful teacher & role model to my daughter. She has an awesome teaching style. She is kind hearted, soft spoken and at the same time has an ability to get concepts across in a way that the kids understand. She brings out the best in the kids and making them want to learn, try new things and be good "Citizens" in school. Mrs. Kirk really is an inspiration.
Yazi Shedbalkar
Pictured are Wendy Kirk November Teacher of the Month, Gabrielle Shedbalkar-Harden the student that nominated Mrs. Kirk and Stacey Kubis of Home State Bank.
Pictured are Wendy Kirk, November "Teacher of the Month Cathy Neiss Principal of Ringwood Elementary School in Johnsburg and Stacey Kubis of Home State Bank.
Wendy Kirk is pictured here with her family and Stacey Kubis.
October Teacher of the Month
Joe DeMay from Home State Bank presents Michelle Soland of Westfield Community School in Algonquin with the October 'Teacher of the Month' award.
pictured are Joe DeMay from Home State Bank along with Michelle Soland, Bill Doran Principal of Westfield Community School and Ms Soland's student Kailey McNally.
Ms Soland is pictured with some of her current students
Ms Soland was suprised by many of her past and present students arrival for her award presentation of October "Teacher of the Month"
Michelle Soland Pictured with Joe DeMay from Home State Bank, her daughter Amy Soland and Don Soland
1) Ms. Michelle Soland is the most caring and generous teacher I have ever known. She organizes fundraisers for local families who need financial assistance to pay for cancer treatments. She uses her own personal funds to purchase workbooks for children who need extra help in school. She buys hot lunches for children who do not have a enough money on their cards to purchase food. she si currently using own funds and time to put together a new readig program for the children in the entire school. Ms Soland ia an unbelievable person and truly deserves som sort of recognition for everything she has done and continues to do. I feel she is a fantastic candidate for Home State Bank & Star105.5's Teacher of the Month.
Judi McNally
September "Teacher of the Month"
Pictured left to right: Doug Boyd, Star 105.5 Sales Manager, Edie Williams our September "Teacher of the Month" Amanda DiFucci, Ms. Williams Student, and Joe Demay of Home State Bank
Edie Williams Star 105.5 & Home State Banks September "Teacher of the Month" & Joe Demay of Home State Bank.
Sheryl Pauwels, Asst Principal, Edie Williams, Alice Stech, Conley Elementary Principal, Sara DiFucci, Amanda's Mother, Mr. Terry Awrey Associate Superintendant & Amanda DiFucci.
Edie Williams, Center & her Parents
Edie Williams with past & present students.
Having a student with autism who is reluctant to accept changes and can become confoused, anxious and sometimes emotionally meltdown when routines or situations change is challenging for any teacher. As a parent of a child with autism, at the beginning of each school year I too become stressed wondering if my daughter's teacher can rise to the challenge. Ms. Williams exceeded every expectation I had of the perfect teacher and is someone that I will always remember having a major impact on my daughters life. When talking with other parents of non-disabled children in her classroom is was clear that I wasn't the only one who felt Ms. Williams' celebration of every gain. Every day in 4th grade was a new adventure and she made learning fun. It was clear to me that my daughter felt her energy instantly, intuitively. She saw past the challenges my daughter brought and focused on her unique gifts. Ms Williams was born to teach and I am profoundly grateful to her to have chosen her gift as her profession.
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