Elementary School Reading Specialist Named 2025 Niehus Award Recipient

PLAINFIELD, IL — A reading specialist at Grand Prairie Elementary School won the most significant award a Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 staff member can receive.

Amy Uribe was named this year's recipient of the Niehus Award, the Plainfield District 202 Foundation for Excellence announced Thursday.

The Niehus Award honors District 202 staff members who exemplify the hallmark traits of service, dedication and excellence that defined the legacy of the late Walter and Juanita Niehus. Uribe was nominated for the award by Grand Prairie reading interventionist Mackenzie Kennedy, who praised the winner for her unwavering commitment to students, colleagues and the broader school community.

"Amy consistently goes above and beyond expectations," Kennedy said in a statement. "Whether it is staying late to support a project, stepping in to help a colleague, or ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed, Amy always puts others first. Her dedication and heart make her an invaluable part of Grand Prairie and District 202."

Uribe started her teaching career at Wesmere Elementary School in 2004, first teaching first grade before switching to kindergarten. She later taught third grade at Grand Prairie before becoming a reading specialist in 2020. This year, she earned her Certified Academic Language Therapist credential after completing Take Flight training, a dyslexia intervention curriculum.

"As an elementary reading specialist, I believe every child can become a confident, joyful reader when provided with explicit instruction, targeted support, and opportunities to apply skills in meaningful ways," Uribe said in a statement, adding that her personal experience as a struggling reader fuels her work. "My goal is for students to leave my care not only reading at grade level, but also seeing themselves as joyful, independent readers."

Outside of the classroom, Uribe has led reading presentations, serves on the Guiding Coalition and Multi-Tiered System of Supports committees and works closely with district leaders to strengthen literacy instruction.

"Helping students reach their full potential is one of the greatest joys of my work," Uribe said. "I'm grateful to work alongside such dedicated colleagues at Grand Prairie and proud to be part of the District 202 community."