Crystal Lake Physical Ed Teacher Earns Educator Of The Year Award

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A physical education teacher for a Crystal Lake elementary school has been picked as McHenry County educator of the year.

Jill Kuhns, a teacher at Husmann Elementary School, earned the top honor during the first-ever educator of the year awards dinner put on by the McHenry County Regional Office of Education and the Community Foundation for McHenry County.

Other awards were handed out in the following categories:

• Pre-kindergarten teacher of the year: Kelley Di Raimondo, a special education teacher at Leggee Elementary School in Huntley.
• Middle school/high school: Mariel Herzog, an English and history teacher at the Evergreen Academy alternative school in Union
• Support services: Daren Dusenske, a guidance counselor at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake
• Administration: Woodstock District 200 Superintendent Michael Moan and Assistant Superintendent Justin Smith.

All six educators were honored on May 7 at the Holiday Inn Crystal Lake. Winners were selected from nomination letters submitted from people throughout Education Service Region 44, which covers most of McHenry County, said Regional Superintendent Diana Hartmann.

“McHenry County is blessed with teachers, administrators and support staff who work tirelessly to give their all for children and their parents,” Hartmann said. “It was an honor and a privilege to recognize those nominated by their peers and their communities as being among the brightest stars in the calling of education.”

Hartmann, who took office in January, said she expects the Educator of the Year Awards to grow and to include more winners from more categories.

Kuhns received a prize of $1,000 for her classroom from the Community Foundation. She also received a personalized director’s chair from the Regional Office of Education, a day package from Mario Tricoci Salon, four tickets to any concert at the Des Plaines Theatre or the Arcada Theatre, and a free concealed carry class from On Target Range and Tactical Center.

She also will be invited to speak at next year’s Educator of the Year dinner.