At a June 28, 2023 ceremony, the DeKalb County Community Foundation and DeKalb County Regional Office of Education celebrated local educators during the annual Excellence in Education Awards reception. Recipients were from Genoa-Kingston, Sandwich, and Hinckley-Big Rock school districts. Over the past 24 years, the event has recognized 120 educators and distributed $120,000 in awards. Winners receive a check for $1,000, an engraved clock, and a copy of ‘Lifelong Learner,’ a book on the life and legacy of Yvonne Johnson.

Yvonne Johnson

The Excellence in Education Awards recognizes teachers, administrators, and support staff who have inspired students to love learning and play an active role in their schools and communities in DeKalb County. Support for the awards comes through an endowed Fund at the Community Foundation created by retired Sycamore elementary school teacher Yvonne Johnson. Yvonne passed away in May of 2023. Special honor was given to Yvonne during this year’s award ceremony recognizing the amazing legacy she leaves behind. Her generosity and heart for education continue to live on in DeKalb County.

“The DeKalb ROE is pleased to partner with the Community Foundation as we honor the esteemed profession of education and those in the field who their peers have nominated as exhibiting excellence,” remarked Regional Superintendent Amanda Christensen.

Recipients of the 2023 Excellence in Education Awards are:

• Pre-K – 5th Grade Teacher: Audrey Cook, Kindergarten Teacher, Kingston Elementary, Genoa-Kingston School District
• 6th – 8th Grade Teacher: Kathryn Michaels, 8th Grade English & Language Arts Teacher, Genoa-Kingston School District
• 9th – 12th Grade Teacher: Tracey Sanderson, Agriculture Teacher, Hinckley-Big Rock School District
• Support Staff: Sue Graham, Transportation Director, Sandwich School District
• Administration: Jennifer Kern, Principal, W.W. Woodbury Elementary, Sandwich School District