Educator of the Year

Friends' annual award for excellence in river education.

2023 - Decatur Classical School
Gerard Kovach


Past Winners

2022 - Kenwood Academy High School
Lynette Thomas

2021 - Skinner North Classical School
Kymber Marine & Zach Schroeder

2020 - Nettelhorst School
Melitza Rodriguez

2019 - Von Steuben Metro Science Center
Kristen Turgeon

2018 - Solorio Academy High School
Greta Kringle

2017 - Maine East High School
Shelby Riha

2016 - Kenwood Academy High School
Darrin Collins

2015 - Bridge Junior High School
Tracy Iammartino

2014 - Chicago City Day School
Thomas "Mac" McFeely

2013 - Waters Elementary School
Pete Leki

2012 - Lincoln Park High School
Meredith Chowanec, Rebecca Corrigan, Ben Johnson & Katie Drommerhausen

2011 - Amundsen High School
Jim Doyiakos

2010 - Drummond Elementary School
Juan Gonzalez

2009 - Curie Metro High School
Nina Hike

2008 - Young Women's Leadership Charter School
Melissa Resh, Kylie Vadnais, Katie Long, Cayman Unterborn & Kathleen Grimes

2007 - Taft High School
Mike Mulligan

2006 - JCFS Therapeutic Day School
Mary Balke, LeJean Easley, Cari Green, Frances Huff, John Lietzau, Lindsey Lopatin & Janet Wright

2005 - Loyola Academy High School
Paul Hayes & Jenny Snyder

2004 - Darwin Elementary School
Edie Lange

2003 - Gage Park High School
Pat Parsons

2002 - Amundsen High School
Jim Doyiakos, Connie Gaberick & Nicole Malos

2001 - Hawthorne Elementary School
Sonja Oliveri

2000 - Lincoln Park High School
John Venckus, Pat Tosto, Pat Riley, Judy Ditkowski & Carol Widegren

1999 - Glenbrook North High School
Mike Piskel, Bud Mathieu & Dane Fox

1998 - Schurz High School
Gail Slowinski & Sue Grabowski

1997 - Whittier Elementary School
Kim Alamar, Shiela Epstein, Claudia Greene, Susan Kolian, Carol Maliza, Ruth Sanchez & Martha Pedroza