Exemplary Educator Awards

Nomination Process

The professional educators in Batavia’s public schools are crucial to the success of CANDO’s efforts to ensure opportunities for challenge and creative approaches to learning for gifted and high-ability students. Illinois is not among the states that mandate/fund gifted education. Yet, true to its heritage of ingenuity and creativity, Batavia has been an innovator in designing services to meet the unique learning needs of this student population. It is Batavia’s teachers who rise to the challenge this student population presents and design the curriculum and provide the opportunities for our gifted and high-ability students.

CANDO has chosen to recognize the efforts of educators who have embraced the opportunity to provide enriched and differentiated educational opportunities for the gifted and high-ability students in their classrooms. This type of learning environment challenges curious learners, engages their creativity, and is sensitive to their unique approach to life and learning.

2014 marked the first of what will be an annual award from CANDO for Exemplary Educators in Batavia. Parents and students nominated educators by participating in an on-line nominations survey in the following eight categories:

  • East- and West-side Exemplary Elementary Educator
  • Exemplary Educator at each of the grade levels at Rotolo Middle School
  • Exemplary Educator at Batavia High School in Humanities, Arts or Social Sciences
  • Exemplary Educator at Batavia High School in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics
  • Exemplary Educator in an administrative position

The 2015-2016 Exemplary Educator nomination process and criteria are outlined in detail here.

Special thanks and recognition goes to the 2013-2014 CANDO Programs Chair, Anna Adams, for bringing the inspiration for this award to its fruition. The CANDO Executive Board adjudicated the nominations, and determined the awards recipients. As we met to review the candidates’ nominations, we were both moved and inspired by the comments that accompanied all the nominations. Batavia is abundantly blessed with talented and dedicated educators.
Nominate an Inspiring Teacher!
Exemplary Educator Awards: Please take a moment to nominate one of BPS101's many wonderful educators who challenge and engage curious learners. Nominations are by parents and students. Use our online survey to nominate educators before the deadline March 23!

Award Recipients April 2015 

CANDO hosted a reception prior to the April 12, 2016 Board of Education meeting for the award recipients and invited guests. Together, we celebrated these fine educators and their contributions to our learning community.

Thank you to the Board for allowing CANDO time this evening to present these awards in a setting where our Exemplary Educators can receive the recognition of their colleagues and the community.

In addition to the recipients, we also wish to recognize all of the nominees with honorable mentions. Every one of these educators and administrators deserves the gratitude and admiration of their colleagues and students and their families.
 
Please click the following link to access the names of the recipients and honorable mentions for the 2016 Exemplary Educators Awards.
Picture
Above: Deb Grizzell announcing 2014 Exemplary Educator Awards at May 27, 2014 BOE meeting. Recipients, left to right: Barbara Buckley, Jill Shulz, Colleen Puttin, Dr. Sue Sokolinski, Mary Beth LaClair, Deborah Nelson, Pamela Spencer, William Sindewald, Dr. Pamela Ciway.


Past Honorees

Please click the link below to read the names of awards recipients, honorable mentions, and representative comments from the nomination forms.
First Annual Exemplary Educator Award Recipients and Honorable Mentions, May 2014

Please click the link below to read the names of the 2015 recipients of CANDO's Exemplary Award recipients and Honorable Mentions.