ILSTOY

We’re wrapping up our Cooking Up Greatness series with Leslie Rennick, 2025 NW Regional IL Teacher of the Year. Leslie’s Jar of Goodness creates space in her classroom to reflect on bright spots and reconnect with joy — especially when the world feels heavy.

Do you wonder how teachers find fellowship opportunities, including ones that pay? Do you want to present at conferences, but don't know where to start looking for opportunities? Are you looking for ways to grow your leadership resume? This is the session for you! Email or DM us for the link!

Today’s Cooking Up Greatness spotlight features Nina McLean, Southern Regional Teacher of the Year! Through Choice Boards, Nina empowers her students to take ownership of their learning, make meaningful choices, and build confidence!

We’re Cooking Up Greatness with Víctor Gómez, the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year from Leyden HS District 212! His secret ingredient? Phenomena-based science instruction — where real-world questions fuel curiosity and drive discovery!

We’re Cooking Up Greatness with Jennifer Gross, the 2025 Illinois Special Education Teacher of the Year from District 215!
Her recipe: the Gradual Release of Responsibility — I do, we do, you do. Because in her class, scaffolding isn’t just instruction… it’s empowerment.

Today’s Cooking Up Greatness spotlight features Tracy Selock, East Central Regional Teacher of the Year! Tracy uses Notice and Wonder to create a learning space where students slow down, observe deeply, and share ideas confidently.

Up next on our Cooking Up Greatness feature is Heidie B. W. Dunn, 2025 Far North Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year!

In Heidie’s classroom, students don’t just learn, they teach, question, and lead through student tutorials and Socratic seminars — where every voice matters!

We’re Cooking Up Greatness with Jessica Suarez Nieto, 2025 Illinois Bilingual Teacher of the Year! Jessica invites her students to the circle, where math meets meaning. Through topics like social justice and community impact, her students take the lead, discovering how mathematics connects us all!

As we close out Teacher Appreciation Week, hear from former ILTOYs, our ILSTOY executive committee/leadership team—dedicated champions of our profession who work tirelessly to celebrate educators. To every teacher reading this: we see you, & we’re grateful for all you do!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! We’re thrilled to share messages of gratitude and inspiration from our incredible 2025 Illinois State Teachers of the Year! Their passion, dedication, and love for teaching remind us why everyday educators like YOU are truly the heart of our communities.

Congratulations to the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Víctor Gómez! Your passion and impact inspire us all. We also celebrate the full ISTOY cohort—an extraordinary group of changemakers representing the very best of Illinois education. Thank you for all you do! 🧵