Katie Meyer, a resource teacher at Schafer Elementary School, has won a 2023 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year award. Katie received the Illinois State Board of Education’s Award of Meritorious Service in the Teacher category.
ISBE received a record number of nominations and applications this year. As a 2023 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year awardee, Katie is invited to attend ISBE’s annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet, held in April, where she will be presented with her award along with other stellar educators across the state.
“I am blessed to work with the best staff and students,” said Meyer. “Receiving the award for Meritorious Service is amazing, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without my Schafer family.”
As part of the Award process, Katie received letters of recommendation from Schafer families, staff, and her principal, Mrs. Courington. Here are some excerpts from the letters:
From a Schafer Family:
Mrs. Meyer is loaded with personality and loving to everyone. She believes that everyone can succeed, and she fosters how one should be caring, kind and respectful to all. She goes out of her way to help her students see that they are valued and can be successful. Overall, she is outstanding in so many ways that this letter can’t touch on all of them. As a family from Schafer and community members, I value Mrs. Meyer’s teaching ability and her outstanding professionalism and personality. She is truly a gifted teacher and person…
From a Schafer colleague:
Katie is one of the most dedicated teachers I know. She consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of her, and reliably supports her colleagues without fail. Katie puts in long hours and regularly sacrifices her time to help and support others. She is truly the most selfless teacher I have ever encountered in my career. She is frequently the first to volunteer and step in wherever needed on teams, committees and assignments …
From Principal Mrs. Edith Courington:
There is a powerful quote by Rita Pierson that describes Ms. Meyer, “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” Katie is a true champion for our students. She holds her students to high standards and works tirelessly to get them to acquire the necessary academic and life skills to thrive, both at home and in school. She encourages them to believe in themselves and motivates them to try their best, even when things get challenging. She is a strong advocate for students and works continuously to promote the team-parent relationship. She truly goes above and beyond to ensure students have whatever is needed to succeed. Year after year, parents express how incredibly supported they feel by Ms. Meyer.
Congratulations, Katie, on this remarkable achievement. Thank you for your excellence in all that you do for students, your school, and District 45!
