DeKalb County residents are invited to nominate a deserving education professional for an Excellence in Education Award before the October 31, 2024 deadline. Award winners receive $1,000 and public recognition during an awards ceremony planned for spring 2025.

Given annually, the Excellence in Education Awards honor outstanding teachers, administrators, and support staff in DeKalb County schools. Every public school district and private school in DeKalb County is eligible to nominate a person for each of the following areas:

• Pre-K – 5th Grade Teacher
• 6th – 8th Grade Teacher
• 9th – 12th Grade Teacher
• Administration
• Support Staff (e.g., secretaries, classroom aides, custodians, food service, bus drivers, and maintenance)

To qualify for an award, nominees must be employed by their respective school district for at least five years and plan to continue active employment in the upcoming year. They should also hold the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues and be actively involved in voluntary, non-paid community activities. Past nominees who did not win the award are eligible for re-nomination, while past recipients are ineligible for future nominations.

The awards are made possible through the generosity of Yvonne Johnson, a retired elementary school teacher from the Sycamore School District. Yvonne established the DeKalb County Excellence in Education Award Fund in 1999 at the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

Submitted nominations are sent to the nominee’s school district for review by the school’s nomination committee. For more information, contact Community Foundation Grants Director Jolene Willis at 815-748-5383 or j.willis@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured: Excellence in Education Awards recognize deserving educational professionals for going above and beyond. Community nominations take place first, followed by school district nominations.