2017 Award recipients

Stephanie Hortsman, a French teacher at Thornridge High School in Dolton, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its 2017 Teacher of the Year. Hortsman was recognized for the honor on Thursday (3/30/17) at the annual Representative Assembly of the IEA. Some 1,200 delegates, guests and state dignitaries…

Sandy Drafall, a retired school bus driver from Elgin, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its 2017 Retiree of the Year. Drafall was recognized for the honor on Thursday (3/30/17) at the annual Representative Assembly of the IEA.  Some 1,200 delegates, guests and state dignitaries attended…

Sara Hard, president of the Northern Illinois University Student Education Association, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its 2017 Student of the Year. Hard also serves as chair of the IEA’s statewide student program. Hard was recognized as student of the year on Thursday (3/30/17) at…

An English teacher at Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, District 218, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as the recipient of its 2017 Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award. Gladys Marquez was recognized for the honor on Thursday at the annual Representative Assembly of…

Robert Powell, a paraprofessional at Thornton High School in Harvey, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its 2017 Education Support Professional of the Year. Powell was instrumental in creating a program for students called New Generation of Men.  The program is designed to serve high school…

Mary Ellen Daneels, a social studies teacher at West Chicago High School, has been selected by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its nominee for a National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Daneels was recognized for the honor on Thursday (3/30/17) at the annual Representative Assembly of the…

William McNary, the influential public interest activist and co-director of Citizen Action/Illinois, has been named by the Illinois Education Association (IEA) as its 2017 Friend of Education. McNary was recognized for the honor on Saturday (4-1-17) at the annual Representative Assembly of the IEA. Some 1,200 delegates, guests and state…