Josh Stumpenhorst, 2012 teacher of the year, waves at the crowd during the Twilight Parade. Photo courtesy of The State Journal-Register.
Two teachers and IEA members, one named the Illinois State Board of Education’s Teacher of the Year in 2011 and the other in 2012, were chosen as grand marshals of this year’s Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade.
Annice Brave is a high school English and journalism instructor in Alton and was the 2011 winner and Josh Stumpenhorst, a sixth grade language arts and social science teacher at Naperville’s Lincoln Junior High School, was the 2012 winner.
“The Illinois State Fair is family fun for everyone,” said Amy Bliefnick, state fair manager. “But, along with the fun comes a great opportunity to learn, and the fair strives to both entertain and educate its visitors. Our grand marshals embody this spirit and were chosen to represent the teachers throughout Illinois who challenge and inspire our youth every day.”
Annice Brave, 2011 Teacher of the Year, greets parade-goers after entering through the main gate of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Photo courtesy of The State Journal-Register.
Brave was recognized as a Teacher of the Year for the hands-on learning experiences she provides to her students as well as all the activities she introduces her students to outside the walls of the school building, helping to prepare them for life beyond high school.
Stumpenhorst was honored for his student-centric focus and the way he uses technology to connect with students and to build relationships with educators around the world to deepen his students’ classroom experiences.
Congratulations to them both!
Illinois Education Association is an association of more than 130,000 members composed of Illinois elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers.