Our Stories

Claudia Rueda-Alvarez, a counselor in Des Plaines, helps students realize their dreams regardless of problems or pressures that, unaddressed, would impede student achievement.

Fred Kilcullen, a school bus driver and former teacher, living in Chenoa shares stories about his career in education and discusses the importance of bus drivers in the life of school children. He also explains why it is so important that the state keep the promises that it made to…

High school students at Homewood-Flossmoor high school pair up with the Glenwood Academy to give the at-risk students at Glenwood a day to spend in the spotlight. Each younger student is paired with an older student to play games, walk the runway and generally get treated like they¹re the star…

Nicole Kurtovich, a 4th grade teacher in Pekin District #108, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its 2013 Teacher of the Year.

The grant was awarded to William Harris Elementary School on behalf of the Northeast Community Fund, a non-profit organization that helps the homeless population in the Decatur area. Taylor LaFrence, a 3rd grade teacher, challenged her students to research the needs of local community organizations in order to best assist…

Teacher and IEA-DEA member Heather Herron talks about her receipt of an IEA SCORE grant. She was awarded the grant for skill building to improve her student’s basic needs to succeed in life. Real world situations were illustrated by bringing professionals from the community into the school to talk with…

The Decatur Education Association was awarded at $15,000 NEA urban grant and used the money to partner with its local Big Brother Big Sister organization to pair teachers and students in the district’s most impoverished elementary school. It’s hard to tell who is getting the biggest rewards – the teachers…

Thanks to the IEA Student Program, 60 volunteers descended upon Lindop Elementary School in Broadview to spruce up the school, both inside and out, in an Outreach to Teach project.

Harvard Park Elementary teacher Andrea Shaffer was awarded a $1,000 IEA SCORE grant. The grant money was used to help the Springfield based Family Service Center’s after school program.

Lanphier High School in Springfield conducted a week of anti-bully activities that were funded by an IEA SCORE grant, a grant program geared toward allowing early-career teachers to conduct service projects in their schools or communities. Lanphier teacher Andrea Yadron worked with other staff and students to organize the week…

The Sycamore High School Art Club is doing its best to bring awareness to the issue of local hunger. The club and its sponsoring teacher received an IEA-NEA SCORE grant this year for their “Empty Bowls” project.

Scores of volunteers descended on Prairie Central School District in June to help give various buildings a fresh new look. Members of the IEA Student Program and IEA-Retired paired up with others to work on a gymnasium, hallway, cafeteria and stage area.

Part one – An Introduction

Josh Stumpenhorst is recognized by students and colleagues for his innovation inside and outside the classroom. And, now he’s been recognized by the state, as well, as the Illinois State Board of Education has announced he’s the 2012 Teacher of the Year.