Vote: Heights Resident, Shepard Teacher Up For Teaching Honor

Palos Heights resident Ellen Douville is one of four finalists selected for General Motors’ Our Town, Our Heroes program due to her inspirational work as an English literature teacher.

Beginning March 5, the public is encouraged to vote for their favorite hero at DrivingtheMidwest.com in a special round honoring Illinois teachers through March 19. The hero will be announced on March 20.

Douville’s friend, Sheri Reiplinger,nominated her for the Our Town, Our Heroes program, describing the teacher as a literary prowess and “Einstein of English literature and language.”

“Ellen has a wealth of knowledge about anything and everything, and she is always so excited and determined to impart knowledge on her students. She spends countless hours researching and grading in order to give extensive feedback to help her students succeed,” wrote Reiplinger in her nomination. “Ellen is a force to be reckoned with, setting a high standard of academic excellence in her classroom and giving students confidence to achieve and knowledge to strive for perfection.”

General Motors launched the Our Town, Our Heroes program in 2011 to recognize and reward unsung heroes who are inspiring and empowering others in their local communities. Every month, the program will narrow down the nominations and open voting of the featured finalists to the public to select the winner.

The hero and his or her nominator will receive a one-week loan of an all-new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle and a full tank of gas. New to the program this year, the winning hero will also receive $500 in gift cards, and the second place hero and his or her nominator will each receive a one-week vehicle loan.

“We received so many inspirational nominations in 2011 from Illinois residents who are going above and beyond to better their communities,” said Brian Goebel, General Motors North Central Region Communications Manager. “We’re honored and thrilled to share Ellen’s story not only with her fellow residents in Palos Heights, but with the rest of the state as well.”

To read Reiplinger’s description of why Douville is an inspirational teacher hero, to vote for Douville and to nominate your own local hero, visit DrivingtheMidwest.com.