Du Quoin teacher among Illinois' best of the best
Eleven teachers from across the state have been selected as finalists in the Illinois State Board of Education's annual "Those Who Excel," educator recognition program. The winner will be announced during an October banquet in Normal that celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of nearly 200 educators and school personnel from throughout the Prairie State.
Amanda Dearmond, 7th Grade Reading/Language Arts Teacher at DMS, has been named one of the 11 finalists for the Teacher of the Year Award.
Dearmond, 35, is the daughter of Kenny and Cindy Heape of Du Quoin. She has been teaching for 14 years and has two children, Molly Dearmond in seventh grade and Tucker Dearmond in third grade.
Her principal, Aaron Hill, comments , "Ms. Dearmond is an outstanding teacher and extremely deserving of this recognition. She does a tremendous job in the classroom and is a teacher leader on several committees in our building and District. Our students are lucky to have a teacher of her quality and DMS is a better school for having her on staff. We are all very proud of Ms. Dearmond and are happy that she is being recognized for being the amazing teacher that she is."
"These eleven teachers are excellent representatives of Illinois' many enthusiastic and passionate educators who are leading our children and schools," said Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. "They consistently create new strategies that keep students engaged and excited about learning and achieving. We are pleased to have this opportunity to publicly recognize their efforts and thank them for their commitment to Illinois' students."
A selection committee comprised of administrators, teachers and representatives from educational service personnel, student support personnel and past Illinois Teacher of the Year winners reviewed approximately 200 nominations this year.
Nominations are scored based on personal background information, the nominating recommendation and letters of support from colleagues, parents and students. In addition, nominees must respond to questions focusing on student success, collaboration, continuous learning and leadership. Scores are compiled and averaged to determine one of three levels of recognition: Excellence, Merit or Recognition.
Teachers earning an Award of Excellence are finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year. Illinois has named a state Teacher of the Year since the mid 1950's. In 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education became involved in the Teacher of the Year selection, and the first banquet was held in 1974.
Brian Curtin is the 2012-2013 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Brian teaches English at Schaumburg High School in Township High School District 211.
The 2013-14 Illinois Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Those Who Excel banquet Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal. The Teacher of the Year will represent Illinois at NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., and in the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year Program.