Stagg runs away with ISBE awards

By Jeff Vorva

Stagg High School cleaned house in winning several Those Who Excel awards from the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Charger Team Space at Stagg won an ISBE team award for meritorious service.

Team members are Nicole Leibfried, Tricia Biel, Pat Wright, Jacob Randulich, Eric Elget, Ayaa Al Kurdi, Matt Seibt, Mary Reynolds and Allison Reyes.

“The Space team is a dedicated team who work collectively to ensure our students are equipped with the skills to succeed academically and beyond the classroom,” Stagg Principal Eric Olsen said at the District 230 Board of Education meeting on Feb. 29 at Andrew High School.

“The program is an essential piece of the school’s multi-tiered systems of support focused on building relationships with students to most efficiently impact their academics, while also developing essential skills including executive functioning, prioritization, and communication. They connect with their colleagues throughout the building to identify classroom supports for students. This team is an example of what is possible when given time, space, and resources to create something exceptional.”

Carrie Sinclair won for teacher’s meritorious service.

She is a special education teacher at Stagg and had been with the school for six years.

“She is an exceptional special education teacher in all areas, specifically in the areas of instruction and innovative planning, collaborating with colleagues, providing leadership and guidance to staff, and establishing relationships with students and families,” Olsen said. “Her students may be in her classroom for multiple years, so she developed a four-year rotating curriculum to ensure that students are not repeating curriculum during their time in her class.

She differentiates and individualizes her instruction to meet the unique learning needs of her students.”

Tracy Sukalo earned recognition for volunteering.

She is the president of the Palos Hills’ school’s athletic booster club.

Athletic director Jen Doede said Sukalo has been a tremendous help to the Chargers’ program.

“She has a unique ability to motivate and inspire volunteers, parents, and supporters, which has been instrumental in the success of the club,” Doede said. “During her time as president, not only she increased membership, but volunteers went from four people in year one to 30 volunteers this year.

“She is always the first to arrive and the last to leave, tirelessly working to ensure that student-athletes have the resources they need to thrive in their respective sports.

The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education also received kudos from ISBE for what it said was “unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and profound commitment to education.”