Noemi Hernandez, a first-grade dual language teacher at Washington Elementary School in Elgin, was named Educator of the Year at the 50th annual Kane County Educator of the Year awards banquet.
Hernandez has been a School District U-46 teacher for more than 25 years. She was in the district’s bilingual program as an elementary school student and is an Elgin High School graduate, according to a social media post.
Being nominated for the award was “surreal,” Hernandez said in a news release. “It made me remember all the people who took care of my family, my parents, as first-generation immigrants, and who helped them navigate the system.”
Her scholastic experiences in U-46 schools inspired her to pursue a career that allows her to play an important role in the lives of her students and their families, she said.
“I truly believe in what I do. I am in the classroom because I believe that is where I can make the biggest impact as I advocate for my students and teach their parents to advocate for them,” Hernandez said in the release.
Eight other U-46 employees were also nominated for various awards presented at a May 1 banquet hosted by Kane County Regional Office of Education at the Q Center in St. Charles.
Nominees from U-46 in the Educational Service Personnel of the Year category were Sarah Bean from Bartlett High School, Janet Greshock from the Educational Services Center in Elgin and Debbie Dillon from South Elgin High School. The winner was Elizabeth Drenthe, West Aurora District 129.
Nominated for School Administrator of the Year were Brian Tennison at the Educational Services Center and Lauren Stewart from South Elgin High School. The winner was Martina Smith, District 300.
Up for High School Teacher of the Year were Kristen Allanson of Bartlett High School and Danielle Paul at South Elgin High School. The winner was Dominic Bruno, Kaneland District 302.
Hernandez and Lisa Hylla from Huff Elementary School in Elgin nominated for Elementary Teacher of the Year.
For more information about the awards and winners, go to kaneroe.org/educator-of-the-year.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
