Redbird Educator Teaching Awards

Crystal Patterson, Laboratory Schools Teacher of the Year

Crystal Patterson ‘89, M.S. Ed. ‘20, earned her bachelor’s in elementary education and her master’s in teaching and learning from Illinois State University.

She is a 3rd and 4th grade social studies and ELA teacher at the Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School and has been teaching for 18 years. She goes above and beyond in her classroom to create a challenging, engaging, and inclusive environment. She is currently piloting a looping program for 3rd and 4th grade students with departmentalized classrooms, allowing her and her class to build long-term relationships by working with a wider age group of students across two school years. Alongside her looping partner, Crystal has established a classroom maximizing student learning and social-emotional well-being. 

Crystal prides herself on teaching to inspire a love of learning, making students want to come to school, be present, and gain autonomy in their education. She is known to support her students in becoming young readers, which she shares with education majors as a guest speaker in Illinois State’s TCH 222 - Reading Assessment course. She also leads the Lab School’s Veteran’s Day programming, creating thoughtful and innovative activities for all students to honor those in the service. 

Her commitment to being an exceptional educator goes beyond her classroom. Since 2015, Crystal has traveled to Haiti on six occasions, teaching lessons and providing aid to orphaned children. She wrote lesson plans and had them translated to Creole and those plans have been shared with multiple schools in Haiti. She also organized the donation of funds and school supplies to be distributed by Haitian Christian Ministries.

Laura Baumgardner, Alumni Teacher Legacy Award Winner

Laura Baumgardner ‘90, M.S. Ed. ‘01, received her bachelor’s in special education and her master’s in curriculum and instruction from Illinois State University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.

She is a retired special education teacher who taught at Pontiac Township High School for nearly all of her 33-year career. She is a passionate advocate for including students with disabilities in all aspects of the school community, helping them make seamless transitions into adulthood. She started the school’s Life Skills program, and is proud of her many students living successful, integrated lives. 

Her work toward inclusion saw Pontiac named a Special Olympics Unified Champion National Banner School, and the top school in Illinois by ESPN in 2018 and 2022. A Unified Champion Schools Site Coordinator, Laura created, implemented, and oversaw activities and programs integrating students with and without disabilities. She also started the yearly Respect campaign, bringing advocacy-centered programing to local schools. Later she created the Run for Respect event, a 5k/One Mile Fun Run in Pontiac and virtually, with participants joining nationally and internationally. Over 13,000 participants have raised over $100,000 for Pontiac Special Olympics across 11 years.

Laura has served on the Board of Directors for Future’s Unlimited, a local not-for-profit agency providing continuing education and residential services for people with disabilities. She presented at conferences for the Council for Exceptional Children, Illinois State School Board, and Illinois State Principals Association, and is a yearly speaker at the Unified Champion Schools Conference. Laura is an exceptional leader who worked tirelessly to improve the culture of her school and community. 

Sarah Henkel, Alumni Teacher Legacy Award Winner

Sarah Henkel ’00, M.S. ’11, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a middle school endorsement and a master’s in history from Illinois State University.

She is currently an eighth grade Social Studies teacher at Northbrook School in Mendota. She has a strong commitment to creating a welcoming, equitable school and a constant desire to grow as an educator. After becoming a National Board Certified Teacher in 2007, she has focused on improving her teaching practices to help students through innovative, evidence-based teaching practices. She is now working to help her school to become a National Board Professional Development School and Resource Center.

Her leadership has made Sarah’s school a lively and robust learning environment. She was awarded an Illinois Education Association (IEA) SCORE grant to create Social Justice Lunch and Learns in collaboration with state and national educators, experts, and activists. She created a district-wide book club for staff to help them foster a more inclusive classroom library and facilitate ongoing conversations about social justice. In collaboration with a colleague, she helped Mendota join Project Sidewalk, the Ruby Bridges Foundation’s Walk to School event, and received the iCivics educator certification. She also secured an additional grant which resulted in a school spirit clothing closet to support low-income students feeling welcomed into the community.

Sarah’s thoughtful approach to teaching has made her an exceptional leader in her field. She has presented several times for her Regional Office of Education, twice at the National Council for Social Studies Conference, and developed and hosted a Day of Collaboration for middle school social studies teachers funded by an IEA Professional Development Committee Grant. 

Jamie Karavouzis, Alumni Teacher Legacy Award Winner

Jamie Karavouzis ’00, earned her bachelor’s in family and consumer science education from Illinois State.

She works as a Life Studies teacher and daycare director for Wheeling High School. Over her 25-year career, she has come to see teaching as more of a lifelong commitment than a profession, devoting herself to shaping futures and building meaningful connections in her community.

During her career, she is most proud of transforming the preschool center into the full-day Little Wildcat Daycare Center serving staff and the broader community. While providing essential daycare services, it offers high school students supportive early teaching experiences. Her work establishing the daycare center helps aspiring educators to gain exposure and practice in creating and executing lesson plans, challenging her students to be dynamic and engaging educators. She piloted the Early Education Apprenticeship Program, collaborating with other educators and organizations to share educational best practices with 3-4 students as they receive an apprenticeship certification. She also leads the education pathway program that enables students to earn college credits while gaining hands-on experience at local elementary and middle schools.

Jamie works diligently to align her skills with the passions and needs of her students, helping to facilitate pathways for their success across all industries. She works every day to instill confidence, curiosity, and compassion as a foundation for student success. She has been recognized as a presenter and workshop leader at the ACTE conference, leading sessions on mentoring future teachers. Jamie’s leadership has created sustainable programs and practices that prepare students for success and strengthen their community, especially within the field of education.

Tina Thomas, Alumni Teacher Legacy Award Winner

Tina Thomas ‘91, M.S. ‘95, earned her bachelor’s in elementary education and her masters in reading from Illinois State University.

She currently works as an English Language Development (ELD) Teacher for Stevenson Elementary School in Bloomington District 87 and has been teaching for 33 years. She is a passionate educator who takes pride in helping her students reach their highest potential.

Tina gives her heart and soul to her students, going above and beyond to ensure their overall well-being during and beyond the school day. She is a tireless advocate for her students, providing unwavering support and guidance across the school community.

At Stevenson, she has been part of the Equity and Diversity Committee and the Family and Community Engagement Committee. She is also on the District Leadership Team and ELD/Special Education Taskforce. Tina is a member of the Promise Council at Stevenson, joining volunteers, organizations, and the school to organize support for students and families in need. The Council provides guest readers for classrooms, plants flowers in outdoor classroom, and provides school supplies and other amenities to struggling families, helping students find joy and focus on their education.

She has a strong dedication to creating an equitable learning environment, much of her continuing education was to meet the complex needs of her students, including her multilingual and special education endorsements. Always willing to share her expertise, Tina has been a cooperating teacher, taking on clinical placements and student teachers from Illinois State to inspire a more inclusive and compassionate approach to education.

Lauren Butts, Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Lauren Butts ‘11, M.S. ‘21, earned her bachelor’s degree in special education and her master’s degree in teaching and learning from Illinois State.

She is a special education teacher at Bloomington High School, co-teaching alongside general education teachers and special educators. She excels in creating an inclusive, supportive, and trauma-informed environment for all her students, ensuring they feel seen and valued in the classroom. Lauren is a transformative special educator who inspires trust and collaboration in her relationships with students and colleagues.

Her goal as an educator is to use evidence-based practices to holistically support her students as they work toward living successful, independent lives. As a special education case manager, Lauren regularly collaborates with guidance counselors, social workers, and school psychologists to make sure not one IEP goal is unmeasured and unmet. She advocates for forming successful transition plans for students graduating high school, seeking out resources for continuing education and employment, and teaching her students self-advocacy skills.

Lauren was a part of the school’s Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS), Truancy Task Force, Raiders 101 Freshman Mentoring program, and is the Senior Class Co-Sponsor. Understanding that students succeed in the classroom when their basic needs are met, she provides support to food insecure students, and organized for low-income students to receive Christmas gifts, clothing, and food for their families over the holidays. Her tireless energy, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment to Bloomington High School students and colleagues earned her a place on The Pantagraph’s 20 under 40 list. 

Margherita (Rita) DiVita, Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Margherita (Rita) DiVita ’06, M.S. ’09, graduated with both her bachelor’s in family and consumer sciences and master’s in curriculum and instruction from Illinois State University.

She is a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Normal Community High School (NCHS) and has a passion for teacher retention and bettering the profession. Her solution to combating the teacher shortage is to “grow your own,” and has shown a commitment to training and building excitement in high school students looking to become future teachers. 

She has dedicated her career at NCHS to creating a work-program opportunity for aspiring teachers, successfully creating the McLean County Unit 5 School District’s Education Pathway Program. Students earn an official pathway seal from ISBE, granting them an endorsement with college credit, scholarship opportunities, and early career networking support. Rita is a new teacher mentor for the Illinois Education Association and supports preservice teachers in McLean County’s United Way Workforce 180 Program, and Illinois State’s Education Alumni Program.

Her leadership has given her students a variety of community service and teaching opportunities, including the Lunch and Learn Middle School peer mentorship project, a monthly collaboration between high school education interns and middle school students. Her students also volunteer at local Title I schools, fundraise for It’s Better to Give Than to Receive holiday gift drive, and lead STEAM education activities through the Children’s Discovery Museum at local elementary schools. Her educational and leadership outreach extends to the university, volunteering with the Illinois State Future Teacher and Educators Rising conferences. She is an Illinois advisor for Educators Rising and has students in leadership positions for Educators Rising Illinois.

Jaclyn Hattermann, Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Jaclyn Hattermann ’10 earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in leadership in educational administration. With 15 years of experience, she is a dedicated music educator, currently serving as the general music teacher and choir director at Edison Junior High in Pekin, Illinois.

Known for her unwavering work ethic, expertise, and passion for teaching, Jaclyn creates an engaging and supportive environment where students thrive in music. She provides differentiated instruction tailored to each student’s unique learning style, fostering growth in performance, theory, and composition. Her innovative approach includes research-driven projects, hands-on learning experiences, and the integration of new instruments into her curriculum. She expanded her program by incorporating ukulele and guitar lessons and spearheading the development of a piano lab with 32 keyboards.

Beyond the music classroom, Jaclyn is deeply involved in student development and community engagement. She teaches CPR courses, leads girls' health classes, and sponsors Edison’s Builders Club, a middle school community service organization. Her commitment to service extends to organizing meaningful performance opportunities, including holiday tours of local nursing homes, school visits, and showcases at the city’s Art in the Park festival.

For the past seven years, she has led the Sing for St. Jude concert, bringing together choirs from five schools to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her students have also performed at major local events, including Peoria Chiefs baseball and Peoria Rivermen hockey games.

Through her dedication to music education, community service, and student empowerment, Jaclyn Hattermann continues to inspire young musicians and enrich the lives of those around her.

Emma Long-Ingram, Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Emma Long-Ingram ’12, earned her bachelor’s in art education from Illinois State University. She also earned a master’s in art education.

She works as a K-12 art educator for Lexington School District CUSD #7. In her 13th year, Emma aims to provide a safe, intellectual, equitable, and diverse creative learning environment for all students. The goal of her classroom is to facilitate the skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to ensure a better understanding of a wide range of media and processes to allow for the creative expression of ideas, critical thinking, and problem solving. 

Emma serves as the president of the Heart of Illinois Conference Art Festival, which brings together 13 rural area schools for workshops led by Illinois State Art education students, an exhibition, and keynote speaker. Since 2018, she has served as the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) Central Council Communications Coordinator, assisting the association with workshops and programing. She also serves as the ArtsConnectED Central Regional Exhibition Co-Director, bringing together Illinois State and other participating institutions for an annual exhibition and college fair in central Illinois for over 20 high schools and over 200 student artists. 

She received five awards from the Illinois Education Association Schools and Community Outreach by Educators Grant over a five-year period. Emma was awarded the IAEA Elementary Educator Award in 2020, with her work earning Lexington schools IAEA Districts of Distinction status. In 2025, she received the Distinguished Service to the IAEA Award for her excellence in and out of the classroom.

Stefanie McCleish, Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Stefanie McCleish ’07, earned a bachelor’s in English education from Illinois State University. She also has a master’s in communication studies and a master’s in school administration.

She is an English teacher at Buffalo Grove High School. In her 17th year, she has solidified her dedication to fostering student engagement and creating inclusive learning environments focused on humanity, empathy, and academic and social growth.

Stefanie has been recognized for her dedication to creating positive school culture. She demonstrates a commitment to creating a welcoming and safe classroom environment, with a focus on independent reading and a diverse classroom library. Through her “mystery readers” initiative, she invites everyone from administrators, teachers, and coaches to surprise students with readings from their favorite books to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Stefanie also founded the Buffalo Grove Network to provide students an opportunity to work across multi-media platforms like the school newspaper, yearbook, live streaming and podcasting services.

An exceptional leader for her fellow educators, she is a professional learning community leader, her building’s union representative for the last 12 years, and a member of the Summit Hill District School Board. She established the “BG Connects” culture committee to build and maintain positive staff morale, combatting educator burnout. Stefanie attends professional development conferences, including the National Council of Teachers of English, Jostens Leadership Conference, and the Illinois Association of School Boards yearly conference. 

For her exceptional work, she has received the District 214 Outstanding Contributions to Education award in 2017 and the Penny Kittle’s Book Love Grant in 2022.  

Kristin Richey, Alumni Excellence in Teaching Award Winner

Kristin Richey ‘08, earned her bachelors of middle level education from Illinois State University. She also has two masters of education in reading and leadership.

She works as a Literacy Specialist at Westmont Junior high School. With 17 years of expertise in the field, Kristin coaches teachers and leads professional and literacy development projects, keeping the school community updated on the educational best practices. She also works closely with students, providing one-on-one assistance to struggling readers on their literacy and social emotional learning, providing broad academic mentorship.

As part of the dedicated team at Westmont Junior High, Kristin, has played a key role in driving significant growth. According to the ISBE Overall Index, Westmont is currently the top-ranked middle/junior high school in DuPage County and has shown the most growth. She serves on her District Leadership Team, supporting faculty and staff across departments by modeling instructional strategies and collaborating to propel her school and community toward success. 

Kristin has devoted her passion and expertise for literacy outside of her students, working diligently to better the profession. She had been featured speaker and session leader for the College of Education Future Teacher Conference. She has also presented at the Illinois Reading Council Conference, the Association for Middle Level Educators (AMLE), and Apple to discuss the importance and nuances of reading, technology, mindset, and student achievement. For her exceptional work, Kristin received the College of Education Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2016, and the Educational Administration and Foundations Spirit award in 2017, both from Illinois State.