​Two at Troy 30-C receive INSPRA Distinguished Service Awards 

Two Troy School District 30-C administrators, Troy Hofer Elementary School Principal Kristin Copes and Troy Director of Multilingual Services Karina Ochoa, have received Distinguished Service Awards from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association, INSPRA. In addition, William B. Orenic Intermediate School teacher Stephanie Giugler and Troy Transportation bus driver John McClelland were nominated for the award.

A luncheon will be held in honor of the recipients in May. Troy district representatives said they were proud of the state-wide recognition of their staff members.

Kristin Copes

“Kristin Copes has a great ability to communicate with all different types of audiences,” Hofer Administrative Assistant Amy Turek said. “She gets the message out to our school community in a way that all can understand what is needed to partner with and support our students and families at Hofer.”

Hofer Assistant Principal Diana Coveny said Copes is a leader in communications at Troy. She provides opportunities for all families to be welcomed, involved and an integral part of the school home through numerous school events she hosts. It’s a way for her to bring trust and a sense of family into Hofer’s school home.

“Whether communicating with families, colleagues or students,” Coveny said, “she is exceptional in delivering information appropriate to the audience.”

Copes also features her weekly newsletter in many different languages to best reach the families in her school. She is strong in taking the first step to include parents, especially parents of children new to the school, as important members of the Hofer family.

“She works tirelessly,” Coveny said, “to always find better ways to create, cultivate and grow the relationships she has with staff, families, students and colleagues.

Karina Ochoa

“Karina has been with us for almost two years,” said Troy Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Jillian Tsoukalas, “and in such a short time, she has created so much positive change by working collaboratively with our families and community members to provide the very best resources and support.”

Ochoa has organized Troy’s District Resource Fair, Multicultural Festival and District Movie Night to bring families back into Troy schools after the pandemic. She leads the district’s Bilingual Parent Action Committee and works side by side with parents to plan events and parent workshops.

“I think Karina Ochoa is a great choice for the INSPRA Distinguished Service Award,” Troy Superintendent Dr. Paul Schrik said. “ She has very effective communication skills with our families and a fantastic attitude and has been able to coalesce a lot of different opinions to find the best approach to servicing our students.”

Troy staff members Stephanie Giiugler and John McClelland were nominated for the award.

Stephanie Giugler

Sixth grade ELA teacher at William B. Orenic Intermediate School Stephanie Giugler was nominated for the DSA Award. Giugler runs a hygiene pantry at the school, which she had a hand in getting off the ground last year. The hygiene products, which include such items as deodorant, shampoo and lotion, are available for students on a regular basis and are provided discreetly to any students in need. To form and continue the pantry, she reached out to parents, who help stock it.

“The hygiene pantry Stephanie runs has been helpful to our students and our community,” W.B.O. Assistant Principal Dr. Jessica Knobbe said, “as it has allowed students access to necessary materials such as deodorant, toothbrushes and facewash. As we have families that have financial struggles, students are able to easily access these hygiene needs for free within W.B.O. due to the extensive efforts of Stephanie Giugler.”

“All of our students know that they can go to Mrs. Giugler for support,” W.B.O. Intermediate School Sixth Grade Principal Kelly Landers said. “We are certainly grateful for her dedication and the care that she shows for all students in our building."

John McClelland

John McClelland is a much-beloved bus driver in Troy’s Transportation Department. Shannon Savoia, special education teacher at Troy Shorewood Elementary School, said he is a very caring and involved bus driver.

“‘Mr. John’ is always in communication with parents, school staff and administration about new ideas he can incorporate into his bus routes,” Savoia said. “He also provides books for his students as an incentive. When he addresses unsafe behavior, it is in a way that gives students dignity, but also lets them know that unsafe behavior cannot be tolerated.”

Troy Director of Transportation Mark Baumann said McClelland has taken on his role of community outreach and student management with enthusiasm.

“He does a great job with his students and his families,” Baumann said. “The parents in our school community appreciate everything John does for their students.”