Three Southland teachers were among 59 Illinois educators recently honored for excellence in the classroom.
The Illinois State Board of Education joined the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Education Association to host the event in Normal. The groups recognized educators deemed best in their fields during the 2017-18 school year by various professional organizations.
The local honorees were band director Phillip Crews, of Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields; physical education teacher Mark Foellmer, of Wentworth Junior High School in Calumet City and English teacher Christopher Wendelin, of Stagg High School in Palos Hills.
Each of the three educators was recognized by a different group: Crews, the Illinois Music Education Association teacher of the year; Foellmer, the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s middle school p.e. teacher of the year and Wendelin, the National Society of High School Scholars 2017 Claes Nobel educator of the year, one of 10 in the nation.
“We have world-class teachers in Illinois and it brings us great joy to take the time to celebrate the best in the state,” IFT President Dan Montgomery said.
It is the eighth year that the three organizations have hosted the luncheon in which educators previously recognized by their respective professional organizations come together to be honored by the state of Illinois.
“The award winners have shown exemplary teaching in each of their fields, and they remind us that great education is being delivered to our students every day in every school in Illinois,” IEA President Kathi Griffin said.