The Will County Regional Office of Education has named Mokena School District 159 Instructional Coach Sharon Youngblood as one of their inaugural recipients of the Educators of Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate county educators who have shown exceptional skill, heart, and impact on their school communities and beyond.
The Educators of Excellence Awards honors one recipient in Will County in each of ten award categories including early career educators, classroom teachers, teachers of diverse learners, certified student support staff, building principals, and innovation in education. Nominations for the award were submitted to the Regional Office of Education in November and a panel of regional educators then conducted a blind review of the nominations to narrow the field to three finalists per category. The Regional Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff, selected the final winner from each category.
Sharon Youngblood received the Educator of Excellence Award in the category of Certified Student Support Staff for her extraordinary work as an instructional coach at Mokena Elementary School and Mokena Intermediate School.
“An instructional coach who truly embodies what it means to be a student-centered coach is Sharon as she keeps student learning at the heart of every conversation, decision, and action. Sharon consistently asks, “How will this impact students?” and uses student data, work samples, and feedback to guide collaborative planning with teachers. She listens deeply, honors teachers’ expertise, and builds trusting relationships, creating a safe space for reflection and growth. During coaching cycles, Sharon co-designs lessons with clear learning targets, models strategies when needed, and helps analyze evidence of student understanding to adjust instruction.
She partners with educators to design flexible, rigorous learning experiences that support students who need additional assistance, challenge advanced learners, and ensure equitable access for all. By maintaining a steady focus on outcomes for students, Sharon empowers teachers to refine their practice in ways that lead to lasting improvements in student achievement and engagement. Her commitment to students extends beyond our own district as she shares best practices through state level conference presentations, published journal articles, and mentorship of fellow coaches across the county, ultimately broadening her influence on student success,” Dr. Kristin Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, shared about Sharon’s impact on the district.
Nominator and Mokena Intermediate School Principal Dave McAtee stated, “We are beyond thrilled for Sharon as she is a most deserving recipient of this award. Sharon plays an integral role on our math content teams. Her strong curricular insight, commitment to a student-centered approach, and thoughtful problem-solving mindset have strengthened our team’s ability to meet the diverse needs of all students. Her ability to analyze instructional practices, support colleagues, and keep student learning at the forefront makes her a strong instructional leader within our building. Sharon has also served on our Building Leadership Team, where she helps guide decision-making and the development of school-wide goals.”
Sharon will be honored along with the other county winners at a special awards ceremony on April 2nd.