Illinois Recognizes Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-10

FRANK MULHOLLAND - Daily Union Managing Editor

May 06, 2008 03:55 pm

— If you are reading this story, most likely you have a teacher to thank for that privilege. That is why the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is joining with the Illinois Education Association IEA) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) in urging students, parents, administrators and communities to honor the state’s more than 130,000 full-time and part-time public school teachers in our classrooms during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4 - 10 and on National Teacher Day, which is today, May 6.
“This is an important week in Illinois, as we recognize the dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment that teachers show everyday on behalf of their students,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “I am proud of Illinois teachers for the positive impact they have on our student’s lives. Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions and I would hope more people consider taking up the challenge.”
Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated during the first full week of May and National Teacher Day is celebrated every year on the first Tuesday of the first full week of May. These celebrations provide an opportunity to both express appreciation and publicly recognize the important work that teachers do everyday.
Shelbyville Schools Superintendent Robert Verdun said he started the week Monday morning by delivering homemade cookies to all the schools.
“That is a standing tradition by the Board of Education and the administrators to have the cookies for the first day of Teacher’s Appreciation Week,” said Verdun.
Verdun said the Parent Teacher organization (PTO) have activities planned for the entire week.
“This is an attempt to say thank you not to just the teachers, but also to all the employees involved in the day-to-day education of our children,” continued Verdun.
Denise Bence, principal of Main Street School said the PTO will provide lunch for the Main Street Teachers on Thursday.
“I have little thank you gifts that I will put in the mail boxes for all the teachers,” said Bence.
Ed Geppert, Jr. president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers feels this week is very important because of how much teachers affect the lives of the young people they work with.
“Teachers across Illinois go above and beyond the call of duty to help our children learn and their extraordinary efforts are often unsung,” said Geppert. “This week we recognize the commitment and caring of teachers and school employees, those front-line professionals who truly make a difference in children’s lives.”
Marilyn Biehler has taught Family and Consumer Science for 10 years at Shelbyville High School.
“I really enjoy interacting with the students and watching them grow and try new things,” said Biehler.
In the Cowden-Herrick School District Superintendent Gary Cadwell said their district is planning about the same events as Shelbyville for their teachers.
“We mostly feed them to show our appreciation,” said Cadwell. “Food is something they seem to appreciate.”
In December, Illinois was recognized as a leader for having the fourth highest number of teachers achieving National Board Certification in 2007. This is the second year in a row that Illinois has been ranked fourth nationally for the number of new teachers attaining the profession’s highest credential. In 2007, 511 Illinois teachers achieved National Board Certification.
Some other interesting facts about Illinois teachers:
*In 2007, teachers who had a master’s degree or above accounted for 52.3 percent of the classroom teachers in Illinois public schools, up from 46.3 percent in 1998.
*The average teaching experience of Illinois public school teachers was 12.9 years in 2007.
*There has been an increase in the number of certificates issued over the last five years. Since 2003, new teaching certificates have increased by 10 percent a year , on average.

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