The Regional Office of Education #26 celebrated area teachers and retirees Thursday evening at the inaugural Champions of Education Awards.
Stephanie Kerr of West Prairie Community Unit School District No. 103 was named Educator of the Year, while the late Marilyn Keeney of Macomb Community Unit School District No. 185 was posthumously named Support Staff of the Year.
“One of the greatest strengths of our region is the incredible people who dedicate their lives to helping students grow, learn, and succeed,” Regional Superintendent Dave Demler said. “These awards were created to shine a light on the educators and support staff members who consistently go above and beyond for children and families.
Stephanie Kerr and Marilyn Keeney both represent the very best of what education is all about.”
Kerr, a fourth- through sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher at West Prairie South Elementary, was selected for her exceptional leadership, instructional excellence, and commitment to student growth throughout her 30 years in education. In nomination materials submitted by West Prairie South Elementary Principal Caitlin Watson, she was praised for creating classrooms where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
“Mrs. Kerr’s students are always among the highest performing in the state,” Watson wrote in the nomination. “Her students consistently demonstrate reading growth and proficiency.”
Watson also credited Kerr with helping foster West Prairie's culture of instructional excellence through curriculum leadership, mentorship, and collaboration with fellow educators.
Colleagues and parents also described Kerr as a trusted mentor whose influence extends well beyond her own classroom. One teacher quoted in the nomination called her “the best teacher I have ever worked with,” while another praised her ability to guide coworkers through difficult classroom situations with patience and thoughtful advice.
Finalists included Melissa Johnson, Carthage Elementary #317; Jennifer Bowles, CUSD #3 Fulton County; Amanda Klaska, V.I.T CUD #2; Kim Wyatt, Hamilton CCSD #328; Molly Selders, Macomb CUSD #185; Susan Bray. LaHarpe CSD #347; and Jennifer Burdette, Spoon River Valley Community Unit District #4.
Keeney, who passed away at the age of 78 on March 31, was honored for her remarkable 47-year career serving students in Macomb schools, most notably as a special education paraprofessional at MacArthur and Lincoln schools. In nomination materials submitted by Lincoln School Principal Eric Bryan, Keeney was remembered as a compassionate and tireless advocate for students facing significant behavioral and emotional challenges.
“Those students needed that more than ever, and she was always available to hand that gift out whenever it was needed,” Bryan wrote. “I think it is safe to say she has made an impact on thousands of students over her career.”
Bryan described Keeney as one of the first people in the building each morning and someone whose commitment to students never wavered, even while dealing with personal health challenges and family hardships. “At a time when everyone was looking to get out of education, she kept finding the grit and determination to stay in it,” Bryan wrote.
“She was one of a kind.”
Finalists included Samantha Sparks, Carthage Elementary #317; Michael Siegfried, LaHarpe CSD #347; Candace Russell.
Hamilton CCSD #328; Travis Snowden, V.I.T CUD #2; Kathy Beaty, CUSD#3 Fulton County; Nancy Calvert. West Prairie CUSD #103; and Lori Emken, Spoon River Valley Community Unit District #4.
Retirees recognized included Macomb CUSD #185 - Ed Fulkerson, Carol Lock, Dawn Torrance, and Michelle O'Brien; Bushnell- Prairie City CUSD #170 - Steve Sargeant, Dave Arnold, Amy Struhs, and Mary Foster; West Prairie CUSD #103 - Cheryl (Sheri) Porter and Nancy Calvert; V.I.T CUD #2 - Pam Thomas; Spoon River Valley Community Unit District #4 - Teresa Ellis; CUSD#3 Fulton County - Pamela Hughes; Canton Union School District #66 - Ken Brandt, Kris Dare, Julie Pierce, Elizabeth Baker, Lori Carlberg, and Marnie Eskridge; Astoria CUSD #1 - Bobette Massaglia, Lisa Heaton, and Dave Crouse; Lewistown CUSD #97 Clay Ginglen and Shannon Pritchard; and LaHarpe CSD #347 - Susan Bray.
'Beyond the lesson plans and daily schedules, these individuals have fostered an environment where our students feel seen, challenged, and supported,' Demler added. 'Their tireless dedication is the heartbeat of our schools, and we are honored to recognize the passion they bring to our halls every single day.
'Education is about relationships, encouragement, and creating opportunities for students to thrive,' he concluded. 'We want these awards to become an annual tradition that highlights the incredible talent, compassion, and dedication found throughout ROE26 schools. These nominations told powerful stories about people who change lives every single day, and that is something worth celebrating throughout our communities.'
Sponsors of the event included: imagine edgenuituy (platinum); Memorial Hospital, Carthage; McDonough District Hospital, Macomb; Graham Health System, Canton (gold); MidAmerica National Bank, Hiel Enterprises, JoJo's Video Poker & Slots, MTC Communications; United Community Bank; Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Bushnell; Nelsons; Macomb Park District; Fairview State Banking Company; Interstate Studio; Copy Pack Post (silver).
