Teacher associations, state board honor middle school teacher

    The Illinois State Board of Education joined with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Illinois Education Association to recognize 59 outstanding teachers. Coal City Middle School’s Jim Hitchcock was among them.
    The eighth annual  Exemplary Teacher Recognition Award luncheon held last week honored education professionals in diverse disciplines from world language instructors and nutrition experts to the Dance Teacher of the Year.
    “Educators help students imagine and aspire to futures they would not otherwise think possible,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith.
    Hitchcock teaches social studies to seventh graders at the middle school. Earlier this year he was nominated by the St. Juvin Post 1336 Veterans of Foreign Wars and selected as the VFW Department of Illinois 18th District Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. It was this honor that earned him recognition by the state’s top two teacher associations and the state board.
    “The Illinois Education Association is always proud to help sponsor the teacher recognition luncheon, a wonderful way to thank and acknowledge Illinois’ many outstanding educators. The award winners have shown exemplary teaching in each of the fields, and they remind us that great education is being delivered to our students every day in every school in Illinois,” said Kathi Griffin, IEA president.
    Post 1336 selected Hitchcock as its nominee based on his dedication to the education of his students on the history of the United States and the sacrifices that veterans have made to secure the freedoms our county enjoys.
    Hitchcock, a veteran of the U.S. Army, connected with the local VFW Post when he reached out to see about a veteran visiting his classes. The request was granted, and over the years the classroom talks turned into full school presentations each fall around Veteran’s Day.
    “Teachers, health professionals, librarians, coaches and other caring adults make our schools places of belonging for all students. Educators see the possibilities in young people before they can even see them in themselves. I express deep thankfulness for the educators across the state who make a strong social, economic, and civic future possible for all our communities,” Smith said.
    The June 20 luncheon was held at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal.
    “We have world class teachers in Illinois and it brings us great joy to take the time to celebrate the best in the state,”     IFT president Dan Montgomery said.