Herrick Band Teacher, Hillcrest Fourth-Grade Teacher Named Teachers of the Year

Not only do they strive for ever-greater heights of excellence, they inspire their students and colleagues to do the same. This is among the many qualities that make Jonathan Ball and Pamela Williams excellent teachers, and earned them the designation of 2011 Teacher of the Year from the Downers Grove Elementary Education Association.

The two were nominated by their peers for the honor, and recognized during a special reception May 23.

A veteran teacher of 28 years, Ball “helps ensure that District 58 children are provided the best possible opportunities for music education,” his nomination read. “Because Jon is an avid musician in his own right, he relates well to his students and his students look up to him with tremendous respect and admiration.”

He continually challenges his students, devotes countless hours to their musical education,assists with sound/music for school-wide events, and ensures the music program continues to grow and represent the school and district well.

Also noted was his mentorship of every new fine arts teacher at Herrick over the past 28 years, his willingness to supervise student teachers, his leadership in the summer band program in District 58, and his continued membership and participation in state organizations, including the Illinois Grade School Music Association.

Ball said he was “truly humbled” to have been chosen as a Teacher of the Year in District 58.

“I am grateful to work in this profession, and honored to work with so many people who day in and day out choose to give of themselves to others,” he said. “I get to connect with great students, parents, administration, secretaries, custodians and teachers ... I am extremely proud to be a teacher for the Downers Grove schools, and the people I work with every day are second to none.”

Williams, who is retiring at the end of this school year after nearly 30 years of service to District 58, was praised for being  positive, insightful, nurturing and supportive, compassionate, an embracer of change, and a team player. She is dedicated to supporting her students socially and emotionally, and she also has a knack for making learning fun; her history lesson in fall 1989 using the lyrics to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” is still remembered at Hillcrest.

“She is masterful at accommodating for individual differences, is thoughtful, charitable, a nurturer to all students, parents and teachers, an advocate for youth, supportive, and involved,” her nomination said. “She has a tolerance for differences, a quick smile and kindness about her that makes all of her students feel like they can learn and be successful.”

Williams is a role model for healthy living, including her regular participation in walk-a-thons in support of various organizations dear to her heart, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and Easter Seals.

“I feel very fortunate and proud to be finishing up my teaching career in such a wonderful district. My colleagues from Hillcrest, as well as district-wide, must share in this award, because we know it takes a ‘community’ to educate a child,” Williams said. “We’ve all inspired each other, motivated each other, and supported each other through the good times and bad, just like a family.”

Also nominated for the DGEEA’s 2011 Teacher of the Year award were Lori Baum, Jon Belonio, Gwen Box, Pam Burkle, Sarah David, Julie Frank, Tara Fulton, June Green, Ginny Lauterbach, Kristine Marquez, Barb Potocki, Sandi Ridker, Sherrell Shanahan and Christina Wallace.