The Illinois State Board of Education announced the 12 finalists for the 2015 Illinois Teacher of the Year last week. The state will acknowledge the contributions and accomplishments of more than 200 educators and school personnel at its annual “Those Who Excel” banquet on Oct 25. The Teacher of the Year will be named there.
 Seth Brady Anthropology, comparative religions, world cultures; Naperville Central High School; Naperville Community Unit School District 203
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 Susan Diggle 5th grade; Germantown Hills Intermediate School; Germantown Hills School District 69
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 Lisa Doughan K-2 reading specialist; Crestwood Elementary School; Paris Community Unit School District 4
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 Steven Elza* Automotive technology; William Fremd High School; Arlington Heights Township High School District 211
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 Lauren Hoeft 3rd grade; Prairie Elementary School; Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96
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 Jamie Jones 3rd grade; Gilson Brown School; Alton Community Unit School District 11
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 Heather Kraus 5th grade; Southbury Elementary School; Oswego Community Unit School District 308
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 MaryLynn Meredith Art; Prairieland Elementary School; McLean County Unit 5
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 Lynne Olsen Instrumental music; Auburn High School; Rockford Public Schools District 205
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 Jennifer Smith 8th-grade science; Monticello Middle School; Monticello Community Unit School District 25
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 Emily Weiss 11th and 12th-grade social studies, history, public service; Grayslake North High School; Grayslake Community High School District 127
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 Mary Wirth Chemistry, advanced chemistry, physics; Sparta High School; Sparta Community Unit School District 140
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The 2014 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Pam Reilly, shared words of wisdom on these pages, intended for future teachers and the caring public. Here’s her story.
[UPDATE: The Illinois State Board of Education announced on Oct 25 that Steven Elza had been named Illinois’s 2015 Teacher of the Year. “Steve is an important role model both for his students, colleagues and for those individuals thinking about a career as a teacher,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A Koch. “His pathway into teaching, including his experience in being mentored, is an important story for others to hear about as the field of teaching experiences decreased enrollments. As a career technical educator, he also will be able to provide much-needed insights into the preparation of students for high-paying and rewarding careers.”]