The Huntley 158 Education Foundation honored recipients of the 2019 Distinguished Educator and Outstanding School Employee of the Year honors at its Employee Recognition Banquet March 14 at the Drendel Ballroom at Sun City Huntley.
Huntley High School science teacher Gerry Marchand was named Distinguished Educator of the Year, and Conley Elementary special education aide Regina Szpak was named Outstanding School Employee of the Year.
The awards recognize Huntley 158 employees who have earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues for making a positive difference for students. Each of the District’s nine schools puts forward a nominee for each category. In addition, the District Office submits a nominee for the Outstanding Employee Award.
All nominees were recognized at the banquet, and the winners are decided upon from the pool of nominees by a panel of volunteer judges, including retired Huntley 158 employees.
The nominees recognized from each building were:
Chesak Elementary
Valerie Vandello, Physical Therapist
Bill Sundberg, Mobile Technician
Conley Elementary
Stacey Hassels, 5th Grade Teacher
Regina Szpak, Special Education Aide
Early Childhood Center
Marla Sterner, Preschool Teacher
Tim Porsche, Paraprofessional
Heineman Middle School
Wayne Blake, 6th Grade Literacy Teacher
Dena Jetel, Administrative Assistant
Huntley High School
Gerry Marchand, Science Teacher
Donna Kunz, Nurse
Leggee Elementary School
Jo Anne Heinz, Instructional Coach
Nancy Palmer, Nurse
Mackeben Elementary School
Shelly Montello, Special Education Teacher
George Shephard, Custodian
Marlowe Middle School
Karla Larson, 7th Grade Literacy
Jennifer Verdonck, Administrative Assistant
Martin Elementary School
Jennifer Boyd, Special Education Teacher
Beckie Ferguson, RTI Aide
District Office
Angelo Nardi, Operations and Maintenance Technician
