Congratulations RPS 205 Those Who Excel Nominees and Winners

 

​Each April Rockford Public Schools celebrates Those Who Excel. This statewide program, co-sponsored locally by RPS 205 and the Rockford Education Association, honors school employees who not only do their jobs well, but go above and beyond to benefit the educational community. Those Who Excel is unique in that it celebrates employees in multiple categories. The program recognizes that it takes multiple personnel to make schools successful. In addition to teachers and administrators, Those Who Excel honors licensed and unlicensed educational support personnel, school board members/volunteers, early career educators and teams. Staff nominate their colleagues with a written description about why the nominee is outstanding. The nominations are judged anonymously to select the RPS 205 representatives to the state Those Who Excel Program. 

Congratulations to this year's nominees: 

• Ariel Anderson – Science teacher, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Kari Anderson – GED teacher, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Julie Blume – Physical Education and Health teacher, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Jennifer Carson – Counselor, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Ashley Dickinson – English teacher, Guilford High School
• Heather Hecker – 2nd Grade teacher, Washington Elementary School
• Brian Hierstein – Studio Arts teacher, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Kent Holden – Math and Science teacher, Maria Montessori at Marsh
• Tonia Kennedy – Financial Technician and Office Professional, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Michelle King – Academic Achievement Specialist, Nelson Elementary School
• Rachel León – Parent and Community Liaison, Rolling Green Elementary School
• Katheryn Lundine – 1st Grade teacher, Washington Elementary School
• Dustin Printz – Social Studies teacher, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Nicole Rundall-Royal – Social Worker, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Maria Saavedra – Office Professional, Guilford High School
• Ken Scrivano – President, Rockford School Board
• Tammy Shippert – Assistant Principal, Roosevelt Community Education Center
• Elizabeth Squire Delaney – Certified School Nurse, Guilford High School
• Mickey Swart – English teacher, Guilford High School
• Russell Vanderheyden – Assistant Principal for the EMITT Academy, Guilford High School

This year's State Representatives are:

• Classroom Teacher: Kent Holden – Math and Science teacher, Maria Montessori at Marsh
• Administrator: Russell Vanderheyden – Assistant Principal for the EMITT Academy, Guilford High School
• Support Services Licensed: Michelle King – Academic Achievement Specialist, Nelson Elementary School
• Educational Service Personnel unlicensed: Rachel León – Parent and Community Liaison, Rolling Green Elementary School
• School Board Member/volunteer: Ken Scrivano – President, Rockford School Board
• Early Career Teacher: Ashley Dickinson – English teacher, Guilford High School

 

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Linda Kimel

Linda Kimel is the school nurse at Conklin Elementary School and Maria Montessori at Marsh. She has worked for Rockford Public Schools for 26 years. Linda is a member of the Those Who Excel Committee.