At an April 17, 2024, 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 Hiawatha, Sycamore, and Hinckley-Big Rock school districts. Over the past 25 years, the event has recognized 124 educators and distributed $124,000 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.

Principal Benes is celebrated for excellence by student Jack Heinsohn during the EIE awards.

The Excellence in Education Awards recognize 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, who passed away in May 2023.

“We’re honored to continue Yvonne’s legacy of celebrating outstanding DeKalb County educators through this recognition program,” commented Jolene Willis, Grants Director, DeKalb County Community Foundation.

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

Recipients of the 2024 Excellence in Education Awards are: 

• Pre-K – 5th Grade Teacher: Katie Claypool, Third Grade Teacher, Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429
• 6th – 8th Grade Teacher: Katherine Katz, Art Teacher, Sycamore CUSD #427
• 9th – 12th Grade Teacher: Susan Clark, Multilingual Coordinator/Teacher, Hinckley-Big Rock CUSD #429
• Support Staff: Susan Hughes, Secretary, Southeast Elementary School, Sycamore CUSD #427
• Administration: Caitlin Benes, Principal, Hiawatha Elementary School, Hiawatha CUSD #426

Pictured above: 2024 Excellence in Education Award presenters and recipients from left: Amanda Christensen (presenter), Katherine Katz, Caitlin Benes, Katie Claypool, Susan Clark, Susan Hughes, Jolene Willis (presenter).