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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

November 10, 2016

Contact: 

Kasia Kalata
External Affairs Manager
Illinois Network of Charter Schools
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
773-225-0054 (cell)

2016 Illinois Charter Excellence Awards Winners Announced
Outstanding Illinois charter school students, teachers, and advocates honored for academic success and commitment to students at the Illinois Charter Excellence Awards luncheon.

Chicago, IL—The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is thrilled to announce outstanding individuals who are making a difference in public education and the charter public school movement with the 2016 Illinois Charter Excellence Awards. These honorees include high school seniors and eighth grade students who embody the missions of their charter schools, as well as exceptional teachers, school leaders, and advocates who work tirelessly every day to improve education in schools and communities across Illinois.

A special luncheon award ceremony will be held at the 2016 Illinois Charter Schools Conference on November 10, 2016 to celebrate the honorees amongst their families, friends, colleagues, and peers. This year, Invest for Kids has generously donated $30,000 to recognize the hard work, commitment, and achievements of the Illinois Charter School Principal of the Year, Illinois Charter Elementary School Teacher of the Year, and Illinois Charter High School Teacher of the Year. High school seniors will be awarded $1,000 scholarships for college, while eighth graders will be presented with $500 scholarships for high school. The Illinois Charter School Parent Advocate will be awarded $500 to help continue their efforts to improve education for all children.

“These students exemplify hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to learn; they stop at nothing to be the best that they can be and work to inspire others around them,” said Andrew Broy, President of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. “This would not be possible without committed teachers, school leaders, and advocates, like those awarded today, who have worked tirelessly to create the schools we need now and move student achievement forward. We thank you for exceeding expectations and going above and beyond for our students. You are appreciated, and you are making a difference.”

The following individuals were recognized as the 2016 CHARTER EXCELLENCE AWARD HONOREES:

• Illinois Charter School Champion of the Year: The Honorable André M. Thapedi
• Illinois Charter School Principal of the Year: Melissa Sweazy, UCSN – Esmeralda Santiago             
  • Illinois Elementary Charter School Teacher of the Year: Jessica A. Jaimes, Erie Elementary Charter School
  • Illinois Charter High School Teacher of the Year: Kevin D. Bradley, YouthBuild Mclean County 
  • Illinois Charter School Parent Advocate: Sonya Moore, University of Chicago Charter School - Donoghue Campus
  • Outstanding Illinois Charter School Senior
    • Terrance Lee Lindsey, North Lawndale College Prep – Collins Campus
    • Anthony Joel Rucker, ���ǹٷ���ҳ – Longwood Campus
    • Cristal Valencia, Intrinsic Schools                            
    • Stefanie Villalpando, EPIC Academy
• Outstanding Illinois Charter School Eighth Grader
  • Carlos Isaac Montalvo, UCSN - Brighton Park Elementary School
  • Martha Lopez, Academy for Global Citizenship

“Invest For Kids applauds INCS’ commitment to improving education in our state through the support of public charter schools,” said Barbara Wolf, Director of Charitable Giving at Invest For Kids. “We recognize that student success is directly related to the talents of school principals and faculty and that charter schools provide the environment where excellence in leadership and teaching can thrive. It is with great pleasure that IFK is able to demonstrate our high regard for enterprising academic leaders with well-deserved financial awards.”

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INCS Mission

The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is dedicated to the improvement of education by establishing high-quality charter public schools that transform lives and communities. As the voice of the Illinois charter schools, INCS advocates for legislation on behalf of the charter sector, provides support to strengthen charter schools, and influences education policy for the benefit of all public school students.