Kane Co. Educator Of The Year Awards Announced

KANE COUNTY, IL — Several local educators received nods from the Kane County Regional Office of Education during its annual educator of the year awards ceremony Friday.

This year's educator of the year award went to Jillian Yaggie, a kindergarten teacher for John Shields Elementary School in Kaneland District 302, according to a news release from Kane County Regional Office of Education.

“I'd like to thank my students; they make every day a better day. I lead, all my student’s, with love. If I can give them all a safe space – this is what I want to do for them," Yaggie said in a statement.

Other educator of the year awards went to:

• Danielle Sheppard, a teacher at St. Charles North High School, who received an early career educator award
• Thomas Poulin, a St. Charles North High School teacher, who received an educational service personnel award
• Barbara Spence, a teacher at Grace McWayne Elementary School in Batavia District 101, who received an elementary/early childhood teacher award
• Suzanne Satterfield, a teacher at Harter Middle School in Kaneland District 302, who received a middle school teacher award
• Patricia Sampson, a teacher at West Aurora High School in West Aurora District 129, who received a high school teacher award
• Tracy Warwick, a teacher at Fred Rogers Magnet Academy in East Aurora School District 131, who received a student support personnel award.

Other awards went to Juan Figueroa, who received a regional superintendent award for his work at Elgin High School, and to Sarah Mumm, who was recognized with a school administrator award for her work within Kaneland School District 302.

"All the educational professionals that were nominated play an active and useful role in their communities as well as in the schools, and often distinguish themselves as leaders," according to a statement from the Regional Office of Education in Kane County. "Their most important quality these people share is their ability to inspire the love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities."

The awards were given at a ceremony Friday.

"This is a night we celebrate the years of education, leadership, assistance, and inspiration in our schools and for our students. We honor the hours spent, by all educational professionals, dedicated to engaging students and inspiring young minds of the future," said regional superintendent Patricia Dal Santo.