Rockland Teacher Receives Meritorious Service Award

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Libertyville School District 70 third-grade teacher Rebecca “Becky” Wickboldt has received the Illinois State Board of Education's 2023 Award of Meritorious Service.

She will be presented her award on April 29 at the 49th Annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet, according to a news release from District 70. Wickboldt, who teaches at Rockland School, is in her 16th year of full-time teaching. She began as a para-educator in 2006.

In addition to her daily teaching duties, she serves as a member on the Rockland School School Improvement Plan team, PBIS team and social committee, according to the news release. She also serves on the District 70 math committee and is the regional representative for the Libertyville Education Association.

“It was such an honor to be nominated and receive the award of meritorious service,” Wickboldt said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I love each day in District 70 - teach! I am constantly inspired by the wonderful educators and staff members I work with, and they help me be the best I can be for my students.”

Rockland Principal Jim Cieciwa praised Wickboldt's hard work.

“Mrs. Wickboldt is one of the most caring, compassionate, and dedicated educators I have had the honor to work with,” Cieciwa said. “She is constantly innovating and looking for new ways to engage and instruct her students. She holds herself and her students to high standards and strives to ensure each and every child has what they need socially, emotionally, and academically to achieve their goals.”