Distinguished Service Award Winners Honored By District 58

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Pre-school teacher Toni Belken and Hillcrest Elementary School nurses Ann Brinkman, Erin Blank and Addie Pampalone were honored with Distinguished Service Awards from the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58.

Belken, Brinkman, Blank and Pampalone were recognized in a May 15 event, had been among nearly three dozen nominees submitted by parents, peers, administrators and others to celebrate their positive impact on District 58 students and community members.

To be eligible, nominees were required to be employees of District 58 who work at least 20 hours weekly and have been employed with the district for an entire school year.

The annual awards seek to honor those staff members who serve as excellent role models and demonstrate consistent, holistic care for students.

"Our nominees share one common value: a solid dedication to the District 58 community and its students,” District 58 Foundation Vice President and DSA Chair Mia Churma said in a statement. "Each of their contributions has made a lasting impact on the children and families we serve."

Of Brinkman, Blank and Pampalone, one parent, who has a child with Type 1 diabetes, commented, "From the word go, the nursing staff at Hillcrest were a gift from the gods. The real magic is in the way Ann, Erin and Addie have continued to care for my child as though he was one of their own children."

The district grandparent who nominated Belken said, "This teacher saw all the positive aspects of my grandchild’s personality, humor, and intelligence, and made certain to emphasize those characteristics each day."

In addition to these accolades, each winner received a commemorative plaque, $100 to use for classroom enrichment and a $100 Visa gift card.