Thank you for attending the 50th annual Kane County
Educator of the Year Awards
This annual event is meant to honor the dedication, leadership, and inspiration that shape our schools and enrich the lives of our students. We recognize the countless hours Kane County educators have devoted to engaging and nurturing the minds of future generations. The ceremony unites educators from various roles with families, friends, colleagues, and students for an unforgettable celebration.
Congratulations to the 2026 Kane County Educator of the Year, Noemi Hernandez, Dual Language Educator at Washington Elementary School in District U-46, and all 49 of this year’s nominees! Click below to view other winners and honorees by category.
- Jean Alicz (Geneva 304)
- Sarah C. Bean (District U-46)
- Diane Cronin (Batavia 101)
- Yanil Delgado (East Aurora 131)
- Debbie Dillon (District U-46)
- Elizabeth Drenthe (West Aurora 129) – Category Winner
- Janet Greshock (District U-46)
- Rudo Muzorewa-Hughes (Kaneland 302)
- Dr. Collin Barnes (Aurora Central Catholic High School) – Category Winner
- Laura McCoy (Headwaters Academy)
- Tiffany Darby (West Aurora 129)
- Jeffrey Davis (District 300)
- Kathleen Hayes (East Aurora 131)
- Meriah Kruit (District 300)
- Aimee Miller (Batavia 101)
- Sharon Oeffling (District 300)
- Katie Perkins (St. Charles 303) – Category Winner
- Jill Queffelec (District 300)
- Stacie Salzman (Kaneland 302)
- Alyssa Farney (West Aurora 129)
- Joseph Nitti (East Aurora 131)
- Abigail Bowers (Kaneland 302)
- Cailla Swanson (Geneva 304) – Category Winner
- Chad Clarey (Batavia 101) – Category Winner
- Noemi Hernandez (District U-46) – 2026 Kane County Educator of the Year
- Lisa Hylla (District U-46)
- Emily Kleparski (District 300)
- Gail Payton (Kaneland 302)
- Elideth Salgado (District 300)
- Griselda Salmeron (East Aurora 131)
- Christy Schmidt (District 300)
- Lisa Conte (District 131) – Category Winner
- Margaret Pacana (Kaneland 302)
- Ignacio Rodriguez Montero (Central 301)
- Kristen Allanson (District U-46)
- Dominic Bruno (Kaneland 302) – Category Winner
- Jeffrey Collons (St. Charles 303)
- Sara Consdorf (Geneva 304)
- Kristin Doucette (East Aurora 131)
- Lindsey Hawkins (St. Charles 303)
- Paul Kieffer (West Aurora 129)
- Danielle Paul (District U-46)
- Laura Edwards (West Aurora 129)
- Shanna Lewis (St. Charles 303) – Category Winner
- Kevin Marten (East Aurora 131)
- Pamela Porto (Central 301)
- Dr. Martina Smith (District 300) – Regional Superintendent Award Recipient
- Lauren Stewart (District U-46)
- Brian Tennison (District U-46)
Nomination Form
Nomination Guidelines
Rubric
Superintendent
Approval Form
Local Nominating
Committee Form
- 2024-25: Gemma Gurney – D301
- 2023-24: Cynthia Martinez – D131
- 2022-23: Dr. Charles Hiscock – D129
- 2021-22: Jillian Yaggie – D302
- 2020-21: Susan Jones – D101
- 2018-19: Tina Scruggs – D301
- 2017-18: Kyle Libberton – D303
- 2016-17: Matt Gain – D304
- 2015-16: Holly Yee – U46
- 2014-15 Sherry L. Douglas – D300
- 2013-14: Carol A. Mertes – D131
- 2012-13: Anette Bliss – D301
- 2011-12: Edward W. Brouch – D131
- 2010-11: Dr. Denise M. Hobbs – D303
- 2009-10: Francisco de los Santos – D131
- 2008-09: Deborah Perryman – U46
- 2007-08: Terri Dawson – D300
- 2006-07: Donna Lynn Letzter – D129
- 2005-06: Paul R. Hardt – D300
- 2004-05: John Walker – D101
- 2003-04: Luis Cabrera – U46
- 2002-03: Dr. John Struck – D131
- 2001-02: Janet Hornbostel – D303
- 2000-01: William Kane DuBois – U46
- 1999-00: Becky Furnish – D304
- 1998-99: Mark Bettcher – D300
- 1997-98: Gwendolyn Miller – D131
- 1996-97: Susan Khalaieff – D304
- 1995-96: Ron O’Neal – U46
- 1994-95: Joan Brown – D300
- 1993-94: Jo Ann Zentz – D129
- 1992-93: Gary Jewel – D129
- 1991-92: Stan Sanderson – D300
- 1990-91: Liz Starnes – D300
- 1989-90: Yvonne Hollingsworth – D131
- 1988-89: Irwin Johnston – U46
- 1987-88: Rita Smith – D129
- 1986-87: Page McCloud – D101
- 1985-86: Mara Lapsa – D302
- 1984-85: Bonnie Bray – D302
- 1983-84: Ronald Babcock – D300
- 1982-83: Virginia French – D300
- 1981-82: Elaine Parker – D129
- 1980-81: Richard Johnson – D129
- 1979-80: James Valesano – D131
- 1978-79: Carol Ruby – D129
- 1977-78: Deane Westland – D303
- 1976-77: Harry Patterson – D129
- 1975-76: Robert Gemmer – D129
