The Illinois State Board of Education recognized seven staff members as part of its 2025 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program. From top left, our 2025 honorees include: Amy McCall, literacy equity teacher at London Middle School; Anthony Mead and Amanda Ha, the assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communications team; Taylor Park, resource teacher at Twain Elementary School; Luci Donnan, director of special education; Emily Bochenek, music teacher at Frost Elementary School; and Mallory Rossi, physical therapist at London.
Seven staff members in Community Consolidated School District 21 were among the Illinois State Board of Education’s 2025 recipients for the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program.
The program honors educators who have made significant contributions to Illinois’ public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Those recognized this year include:
- Amy McCall, literacy equity teacher at London Middle School, with an Award of Special Recognition;
- Amanda Ha and Anthony Mead, the assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communications team at Hawthorne Early Childhood Center, with an Award of Meritorious Service;
- Taylor Park, resource teacher at Twain Elementary School, with an Award of Special Recognition;
- Luci Donnan, director of special education, with an Award of Special Recognition;
- Emily Bochenek, music teacher at Frost Elementary School, with an Award of Excellence; and
- Mallory Rossi, physical therapist at Riley Elementary School and London Middle School, with an Award of Special Recognition
“We are incredibly proud of our seven outstanding staff members who have been recognized by Those Who Excel this year,” said Dr. Michael Connolly, superintendent of CCSD21. “Their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and school community exemplify the very best of District 21. This well-deserved recognition is a testament to their hard work and the profound impact they have on the lives of our students every day.”
For McCall, the nomination was “an absolute honor” and a nice way of reflecting on her career.
“I was able to look at all of the things I’ve done and how it’s created this amazing experience that I’ve had over the past 28 years,” she said.
Amy Breiler, director of teaching and learning for literacy, wrote in her recommendation that McCall was “devoted to giving her best to her students, consistently staying informed on the latest instructional strategies and research.”
She also commended McCall for being able to connect with struggling students while holding them to high expectations and providing empathetic support, and simultaneously excelling at challenging her most advanced students by fostering out-of-the-box thinking and encouraging them to reach their fullest potential.
Jaime Bolognone, student services coordinator for early intervention and early childhood, penned in her recommendations of Ha and Mead that the two are “constantly teaching, coaching and introducing innovative strategies to help both staff and students achieve their goals.”
“Their work not only breaks down barriers to accessing the curriculum but, most importantly, empowers students to actively participate and feel included,” she added. “Thanks to their efforts, more early childhood students than ever are using [augmentative and alternative communications] to communicate and express themselves.”
The honor was a “very pleasant surprise” to Mead, who said it was nice to know that their work had not gone unnoticed and that others appreciate what their team of two is doing or trying to do.
“I think it’s great to have the district be even more aware of what we’re doing and how important it is for students and staff to use more assistive technology in general,” Ha added.
For Park, who returned to the district in 2022 after six years in San Francisco, the theme of student empowerment featured heavily in the essays written to support her nomination.
“Working with our special education population, which is a vulnerable population of students to work with, I really wanted to capture how I empower them to see that they can succeed, that they can do it, and to help them believe in themselves,” Park said.
In her letter of recommendation for Park, Melissa Mariconda, student services coordinator, said she has transformed the lives of countless students through tireless dedication, creativity and compassion.
“In a field that demands both unwavering patience and exceptional skill, [Taylor] excels at fostering an environment where all students feel valued, empowered, and capable of achieving their fullest potential,” Mariconda wrote.
Park does not take the commendation for granted, noting that she aims to maximize her instructional time with each of her students: “I see them for maybe 30 minutes or, at most, an hour of their day, so I really want to focus on fostering as much growth as they possibly can have.”
The commendation meant a lot for Rossi, who noted her surprise in the individual recognition.
“I feel like I’m a team player, so it was odd to receive it just for me, because I feel like I can’t be who I am without my team behind me,” she said.
In her nomination, Riley Principal Nicole Bellini said Rossi “is someone you can always depend on in times of need,” noting her role on Riley’s Crisis Support Team. “She is exceptionally skilled at navigating these unpredictable situations, often stepping in even when it’s not her designated turn,” Bellini added.
Rossi’s exceptional expertise in physical therapy has also significantly improved the mobility and independence of many students, according to Bellini.
The recognition came as a “total surprise” to Donnan, who did not expect to be nominated.
“I feel very humbled that I was chosen to be nominated, and then I realized when people started reaching out to me how important it was to be recognized,” she added.
Donnan’s 25-year journey in the district, from a promising school psychology intern to the current director of special education, is “a testament to her exceptional skills, resilience, and profound dedication to supporting students and colleagues alike,” wrote Kim Cline, assistant superintendent for support services, in her letter of recommendation.
Cline also noted that as the director of special education, Donnan has transformed the district’s approach to inclusive education. Donnan, for her part, was thankful for the evolution of special education’s perception over the years.
“I feel like when I was first a school psychologist, special education was kind of an afterthought,” she said. “Now it seems that, under this administration, it is important–not just for special education, but for all students, a way to think about things differently. I have more opportunities now than when I first started.”
Bochenek received her nomination from not one, but four individuals, including a former parent, a former student, and two current colleagues: Chris Lapetino, director of teaching and learning for student enrichment and support; and Colleen Evens, dean of students at Cooper Middle School.
In her letter, Evens credited Bochenek’s “remarkable ability” to foster an environment of respect and rapport with her students: “Emily’s approach is rooted in understanding her students as individuals, which allows her to tailor her instruction to meet their unique needs, strengths, and interests.”
Lapetino agreed with the sentiments in his letter, noting that “music comes to life” in Bochenek’s classroom as students explore a variety of instruments, engage in vocal performances, and develop their own compositions.
He also commended Bochenek’s knowledge of pedagogy and teaching strategies to not only benefit music educators, but teachers of all disciplines: “She shares her expertise generously, whether through one-on-one coaching or leading professional development sessions, and is always willing to collaborate to enhance the learning experience for both students and teachers alike.”
Feeling “honored” for the commendation, Bochenek said her goal is to help her students find their personal connection to music through inclusive and authentic musical experiences. To her colleagues, she works to bring a culture of safe and open communication as well as a focus on equity, access and agency to everyone involved.
“I truly believe these values will strengthen our educational community,” she added.
ISBE will celebrate the honorees during a banquet this May in Bloomington-Normal.
CCSD21
EMPOWERING EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY
