The Will County Regional Office of Education held its inaugural Educators of Excellence Awards to “recognize the outstanding professionals who made a meaningful difference in the lives of students across Will County schools.”

The awards were held on April 2 at Juliet’s in downtown Joliet with a reception and a presentation of the awards.

“The event was created to celebrate the many individuals, both inside and outside the classroom, whose work often deserved recognition but did not always receive it publicly,” said Will County ROE spokesman Patrick Idzik.

Educators were nominated in 10 award categories: classroom teachers, early career educators, student support staff, school support personnel, principals, community volunteers, innovation in education, and lifetime achievement.

Only categories that received at least four nominees were recognized.

After the nominations were received, Idzik said they went through a blind review process conducted by a panel of regional educators selected by the Will County director of professional development.

Three finalists were selected in each category by the panel, and those nominees were reviewed by Regional Superintendent Lisa Caparelli-Ruff to select the winners.

The winners of the first ever Educators of Excellence Awards are:

• Early Career Educator: Stephanie Perella from the WILCO Area Career Center
• Classroom teacher: Andrea Paplaski-Grygiel from Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202
• Teacher of diverse learners: Jennifer Hesek from Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C
• Certified student support staff: Sharon Youngblood from Mokena School District 159
• Non-certified student support staff: Sharon Welch from Troy School District 30-C
• School support personnel: Deddrrick Lewis from Joliet Public Schools District 86
• Building principal: Jaime Koziol, from Milne-Kelvin Grove District 91 in Lockport
• Community volunteer and advocate: Christine Jelinek from Taft School District 90 in Lockport
• Innovation in education: Timothy Baldermann from Union School District 81
• Lifetime achievement: Jim Havlin from New Lenox School District 122

The awards program was about “recognizing the people who show up for students every day and make our schools stronger through their commitment, care, and professionalism,” said Caparelli-Ruff in a statement. “Will County is filled with exceptional educators and staff, and it was important for us to take the time to celebrate them in a meaningful and public way.”