On Wednesday, February 11th the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the nearly 450 Illinois educators honored for their extraordinary contributions to education across the state through its annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. The annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards spotlight incredible individuals whose dedication, innovation, and leadership are making a meaningful difference for students and school communities across Illinois.
“Illinois educators show up for students every day with commitment, creativity, and care,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “The 2026 Those Who Excel awardees and Teacher of the Year Cohort represent the very best of our profession. Their work strengthens school communities and helps ensure students feel supported, valued, and inspired. Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees — we are grateful for the difference you make in the lives of students across Illinois.”
Mokena School District 159 has seven award recipients. Selected awardees received recognition in one of three levels:
To receive the Award of Excellence, the most prestigious of the Those Who Excel honors, educators must have demonstrated a commitment to equity and to the success of all students. They regularly collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create positive school cultures. They are lifelong learners who connect their schools to the community at large and who inspire other education professionals within and beyond their schools.
Educators presented with the Award of Meritorious Service have gone above and beyond in service to their school communities. They are experienced educators who take on leadership opportunities and whose accomplishments uplift the culture of learning in their school. They stand as exemplars of their profession and have become integral members of their schools and districts.
Educators who receive the Award of Special Recognition are valued members of their school community who have been recognized by their colleagues, students, families, and administrators for the skills, passions, and talents they bring to their school community.
Rebecca Cheney, Music Teacher at Mokena Junior High School, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Classroom Teacher. Mrs. Cheney is the heartbeat of the junior high music program. She is one of the most stalwart supporters of music education that you will ever meet. Every student at the junior high has the opportunity to learn how to fully appreciate music because of her classes. Students learn to play instruments like African drums, orff instruments, the ukulele, and electric keyboards. She has sought grants and other funding opportunities to help purchase these unique instruments and many students end up purchasing their own instruments because they are inspired to learn more and practice outside of school. Rebecca challenges musically gifted students and students who are new to music. She always finds a way to get all students interested and engaged in music class and ensures that every student, no matter their physical, emotional, or academic challenges, learns to appreciate and play music. Mrs. Cheney also sponsors the choir program and spent many years developing the district’s band program. She has led the music programs to award winning and inspiring performances. Rebecca is the rhythm and the soul of the school!
Lisa Fiene, Instructional Coach at Mokena Elementary School and Mokena Intermediate School, has been recognized with an Award of Meritorious Service-Student Support Personnel. Mrs. Fiene has been an invaluable asset to the district as a strong instructional leader, collaborator, and student-centered educator. Her deep knowledge of curriculum and best instructional practices has allowed her to meaningfully support and guide teachers and teacher teams. She skillfully facilitates professional learning, models instructional strategies, and collaborates with teachers to ensure high levels of learning for all students. Her student-first mentality has had a direct and measurable impact on student growth. Internal district data as well as improvements on state assessments reflect the positive outcomes of the instructional systems and supports she has helped build. Lisa has extended her reach outside of the school community by sharing her craft through presenting at conferences and writing journal articles. Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement has left a lasting mark on the school community and beyond.
Erin Kelly, Kindergarten teacher at Mokena Elementary School, has been recognized with an Award of Meritorious Service-Early Career Educator. In just a few short years in the teaching profession, Ms. Kelly has demonstrated extraordinary skill, compassion, and professionalism that exemplify the very best of the education field. Ms. Kelly possesses a deep understanding of child development and early literacy instruction that belies her early-career status. Her lessons are intentional, structured, and anchored in research-based practices such as explicit instruction, interactive writing, and multisensory math lessons. She creates differentiated learning experiences that challenge advanced learners while supporting students who need additional scaffolds. By the end of Ms.Kelly’s first year of teaching kindergarten, 95% of her students met or exceeded benchmark targets in early literacy, and 100% of students met or exceeded benchmark targets in math, outcomes that reflect her ability to translate data into responsive instruction. Ms. Kelly believes that every child can thrive when they feel known, valued, and capable. She prioritizes equity not as an initiative but as a daily practice, co-teaching with a special education teacher to provide effective instruction for all learners, embedding social-emotional learning throughout the day, and creating inclusive classroom libraries that reflect diverse identities. Her communication with families is transparent and proactive; parents consistently remark on her ability to make them feel like true partners in their child’s education. Perhaps most notably, Ms. Kelly embodies the joy, purpose, and professionalism that uplift the image of education. She approaches every day with optimism reminding both students and colleagues why teaching matters.
Stacey Lavelle, Special Education Program Coordinator for the district, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Administrator. Mrs. Lavelle is an exceptional leader whose passion, dedication, and expertise have transformed the quality of services and supports provided to students with special needs across the district. She is a champion for inclusion and approaches every decision with the belief that all students deserve equitable access to rigorous and meaningful learning experiences. Whether she is collaborating with teachers, problem solving with administrators, or supporting families, Stacey consistently demonstrates compassion, clarity, and purpose. Some of her most significant contributions to the district include her leadership supporting the STAR classroom and leading district-wide Respect Weeks and Special Olympics Young Athlete Events. Mrs. Lavelle also oversees the development and implementation of special education curriculum across the district and has worked tirelessly to build strong programming that is aligned, sustainable, and deeply responsive to student needs.
Danielle Swabowski, Paraprofessional at Mokena Junior High School, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Educational Service Personnel. Mrs. Swabowski continues to demonstrate exceptional skills, dedication, and professionalism in her work with students and colleagues. She possesses an outstanding ability to connect with students of all backgrounds and learning needs. Her deep understanding of how to support the academic and social-emotional growth of students is evident in every interaction. Whether providing individual assistance or helping manage a class environment, Danielle approaches each situation with patience, compassion, and expertise. Beyond her daily responsibilities, Danielle is known for her willingness to go above and beyond for all students. She often volunteers to assist with school events, provide extra academic support, and ensure that every student feels seen and valued. She is a regular presence at extracurricular activities, cheering on students and fostering a sense of community and pride within the school. Danielle also contributes greatly to a positive school culture. She is approachable, dependable, and always willing to collaborate with teachers and fellow paraprofessionals.
Candy Williams, Building and Health Office Aide at Mokena Elementary School, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Educational Service Personnel. Mrs. Williams exemplifies the compassion, professionalism, and dedication that define the best in the school community. Her daily work not only impacts the well-being of our students, but also the overall culture of care that sets her school apart. From the moment the school’s youngest learners step off the bus or walk through our doors, she is one of the first warm, familiar faces they encounter. Amazingly, she knows every single Kindergarten student by name, an achievement that speaks volumes about her commitment to building authentic connections. Each morning, she greets the children with the kind of kindness that puts them at ease, offering reassuring smiles, friendly hellos, and genuine interest in how they are feeling. For many of our students, especially those just beginning their educational journey, her presence is the anchoring comfort that helps them transition smoothly into the school day. In the health office, Mrs. Williams extends that same compassion and personalized care to every student she serves. Whether a child arrives with a stomachache, a scraped knee, or simply needing a moment of reassurance, she responds with patience, dignity, and a calming demeanor. Her ability to assess student needs, communicate clearly with families, and collaborate seamlessly with staff ensures the school runs safely and smoothly is beyond compare. Candy helps create an environment in which students know they matter, families feel confident entrusting us with their children, and staff feel supported by a colleague who is reliable, flexible, and solution-oriented.
Sharon Youngblood, Instructional Coach at Mokena Elementary School and Mokena Intermediate School, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Student Support Personnel. Ms. Youngblood’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student receives high-quality instruction tailored to their individual needs truly sets her apart. She has gone far beyond the expectations of her role, consistently supporting teachers through personalized coaching,data-driven instructional strategies, thoughtful team meetings and professional development sessions that empower educators to grow in their craft. Sharon brings intentionality to every interaction, meeting each teacher where they are. Whether mentoring a first-year teacher or collaborating with a veteran educator, she fosters trust, inspires confidence, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement for the district’s students. Her passion for equity and access drives every decision she makes, whether it’s advocating for learners who have not yet mastered standards, collaborating with special education teachers or interventionists, or designing supports for advanced students who need additional challenges. Through this work, she has helped teachers create classrooms where instruction is flexible, rigorous, and grounded in the belief that all students can succeed. Not only has Sharon made a difference in the district, but she also seeks to uplift and grow other educators outside of the district by presenting at multiple state-wide conferences and publishing a journal article about partnering with teachers to improve student learning.
Mokena SD 159 Superintendent, Robert Gurney, shared, “We are tremendously excited to honor the work of these staff members. Their contributions along with the work of their teammates and fellow educators is wonderful to see on a day-to-day basis. We are thankful everyday that we get a chance to work with such an amazing team here in Mokena School District 159.”
Mokena’s award winners will be honored at the 52nd Annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Banquet in April. Congratulations to all of the awardees!
More information on these awards can be found at https://isbe.net/TWETOY.