Annual ‘Those Who Excel’ Awards Recognize Best of RPS 205
The annual Rockford Public Schools Those Who Excel educational awards program honored educators and support teams last week.
Those Who Excel is an Illinois State Board of Education Program sponsored by RPS 205 and the Rockford Education Association. It’s different from other education awards programs in that staff recognize their colleagues and peers in seven categories.
RPS 205 employees were recognized this year for going above and beyond in performing their job duties. Nominees and the winners are noted below. Congratulations!
2022 Nominees & winners:
Winners are noted in bold.
Early Career Educators
Melissa Diaz, Lathrop Elementary School
Ryan Lambert, Kennedy Middle School
Team
Ten Toes Down, Kennedy Middle School (Virgil Hobson, Stefan Miller, Nakeya Poole)
Administrator
Blake Hand, Welsh Elementary School
Education Service Personnel, non-certificated
Mary Beth Jones, Guilford High School
Kristine LaFranca, Fairview Early Childhood Center
Stephanie Nold, Riverdahl Elementary School
Bu Thaw, East High School
Student Support Personnel, certificated
Mike Cefaratti, Kennedy Middle School
Denise Niner, Health Services
Jill Silvest Mulligan, Kennedy Middle School
Classroom Teacher, dedicated to the memory of Sara Ingrassia
Joseph Blume, Roosevelt High School
Janiece Gehrke, East High School
Sue Gillenwater, Riverdahl Elementary School
Jackie Kliebe, Guilford High School
Maribel Mendez, Ellis Elementary School
Jodi Severson, Cherry Valley Elementary School
Marissa Williams, Kennedy Middle School
Linda Kimel
Linda Kimel is a retired RPS 205 nurse who works two days a week at East High School. Linda is the chair of the Those Who Excel Committee.
- Shoutouts
- Teacher Appreciation
- Those Who Excel Awards