Horace Mann helped honor the top educators in its headquarters location of Springfield, Ill., this Teacher Appreciation Week.
Kathy Fox, a fourth-grade teacher at Fairview Elementary School, was named Springfield Public Schools Educator of the Year. Her nominator said her connection with students transcends their time in her class.
“She shows them that she cares about them as people, as human beings,” the nominator said. “She shows them not all successes in school are about grades – and because she’s able to portray that to the student, they in turn improve academically, emotionally and socially.”
Alicia Miller, assistant principal at Lanphier High School, was named Administrator of the Year. Elizabeth Gilmore, fourth-grade teacher at Matheny-Withrow Elementary School; Trisha Iaiennaro, Spanish teacher at Lanphier High School; and Stefanie Midiri, fourth-grade teachers at Marsh Elementary School, were named the district’s “Rising Stars.”