2017 Award recipients

Thornridge High School teacher selected IEA’s State Teacher of the Year 

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…

Former U-46 Bus Driver selected as IEA’s Retiree of the Year

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…

NIU student selected as IEA’s Student of the Year

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…

West Chicago HS teacher nominated for NEA Teaching Excellence award

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 named IEA 2017 Friend of Education

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…