Published: September 05, 2008 11:04 am            

J.L. Buford teacher a finalist for state award

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — J.L. Buford Intermediate Center fourth grade teacher Katie Baumhoegger has been chosen as one of the nine finalists for the Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of the Year.

“We’re really excited about this,” District 80 Superintendent Kevin Settle said. “We’ve been promoting teachers for the program for over 20 years, and this is the first time we’ve had a teacher as a finalist. It’s unprecedented for Mt. Vernon City Schools.”

J.L. Buford Principal Patrick Rice added that he and Baumhoegger’s colleagues are proud as well.

“We’re proud of Katie and her accomplishments,” J.L. Buford Principal Patrick Rice said. “She’s very deserving and we’re happy that we get some recognition for a downstate school.”

The nine finalists were chosen from more than 175 nominations which were reviewed by a selection committee made up of volunteer administrators, teachers, school board members, representatives from educational service personnel, student support personnel, parent/teacher organizations and former Illinois teachers of the year, according to the ISBE.

“These dedicated educators exemplify the commitment and passion to learning of Illinois teachers,” Christopher Koch, state superintendent of education stated. “They continuously strive to help all Illinois students become successful learners. Those Who Excel provides us with a platform to publicly recognize their achievements and to thank them for their tireless devotion to the profession.”

Baumhoegger found out she was a finalist on Aug. 15, before classes started at District 80.

“We were having our teacher orientation, I went out to eat at lunch, and when I came back, Mr. Rice came and got me,” Baumhoegger recalled. “He said that (Superintendent Dr. Kevin Settle) was in the office and had to talk to me. I thought, great, school hasn’t even started and already I’ve done something to make a parent mad at me.”

Baumhoegger said when she arrived in the office, for a moment, Settle let her believe she was in trouble.

“He was stern, and said ‘I can already see you’re going to be trouble this year,’” Baumhoegger said. “Then I was really thinking, ‘oh no.’ But then he told me that I had not only made awards, but was in the top nine for the Teacher of the Year. I couldn’t believe it. I just kept smiling and asking, ‘Are you kidding me?’”

According to information from the ISBE, each nominee for the award are reviewed individually and scored three times. Scoring is based on personal background information, the nominator’s recommendation and letters of recommendation, according to information from the ISBE. Scores are compiled and averaged to determine the level of recognition the teacher receives, at Excellence, Merit or Recognition. Those who score in the Award of Excellence level become finalists for Teacher of the Year.

Nominees for Teacher of the Year must answer questions that focus on student success, collaboration, continuous learning and leadership. Baumhoegger said she was cautioned in August the nomination had to remain confidential until the ISBE made the announcement.

“I told my husband, but I also told my mom because I love her and because she went with me to Springfield for the interview on the following Thursday,” Baum-hoegger said. Baumhoegger had to answer nine questions, with two of them being provided prior to the interview.

“The advance questions were if you are chosen, what would your message be and how have changes in culture and society changed education,” Baumhoegger said. “I believe it takes a village to educate, changing the old saying. It’s not just me who educates. It’s the other teachers, the support staff, administration and the community. It’s about people tutoring and giving of their time. It’s about things like getting high school boys in here to come read with some of our reluctant readers. It’s up to all of us to make sure this generation is successful.”

The interview was conducted on video, then replayed to the selection committee, “who watches it over and over and over again, so I was worried,” Baumhoegger admitted.

Baumhoegger was nominated by Rice, who brought her name before other District 80 principals for consideration, then formally nominated by the district.

“We have a lot of great teachers and staff here,” Rice said. “This is Katie’s day in the sun.”

Baumhoegger said one of the ways she tries to make sure her students are successful in the classroom is stressing that everyone becomes a family and work as a team.

“I really stress it,” Baumhoegger said. “In a family, we are all respectful, and don’t hurt each other with words or actions. Everyone has flaws, but you don’t make someone who is having problems in an area, you work to help them, just as you don’t want someone to make fun of your flaws.”

The winner of the award will be announced on Oct. 18 at the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria during the Those Who Excel awards banquet. The teacher of the year will represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., and will be a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year program.

Other nominees are Jill Christenson, a kindergarten teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Wood River; Patrice Corson, a kindergarten through fifth grade music teacher who travels to elementary schools in Litchfield; Tracey Jones, a sixth grade math and honors math teacher at Franklin Middle School in Champaign; Michelle Lia, a kindergarten through fifth grade reading teacher at Western Trails School in Carol Stream; Carol Nowaczyk, a fourth grade teacher at Ardmore Elementary in Villa Park; Julie Rolando, a special education teacher at Central Elementary School in Ottawa; Linda Smerge, a second grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Cicero; and Mary Tregloan, a special education teacher at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Freeport.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.