Cicero Teacher Named 2009 Illinois Teacher of the Year
Linda Smerge, a first grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Cicero School District 99, has been named the 2009 Illinois Teacher of the Year. The Illinois State Board of Education chose Linda from 9 finalists at the 34th annual Those Who Excel/Illinois Teacher of the Year banquet. Linda will have the opportunity to speak at teacher workshops, educational conferences, and civic and community meetings across the state. She will represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama and in the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and ING. Linda will also receive products and services from Motorola and SMARTer Kids.
“Linda’s passion and commitment to teaching are firmly rooted in her belief that all children can learn and that she has the ability to help them make a better life for themselves,” says Deputy Superintendent of Education, Susan Morrison. “Linda’s dedication and her ability to bring out the best in everyone around her will make her an excellent representative of our teachers across the state.”
Linda left a successful law practice after 13 years with an overwhelming desire to make a real difference in children’s lives. This goal remained her focus as she faced the challenges of transitioning from the courtroom to the classroom. Although the road to the classroom was a bumpy transition, Linda never lost her focus.
In August 2001, Linda joined Cicero School District 99 and was presented with the challenge of a first and second grade special education cross-categorical class at Wilson School. Her students had a wide array of disabilities, and her class materials had not yet arrived. Linda accepted this daunting task making something out of nothing. Linda’s energy and determination shifted into high gear as she maintained her students’ interest by ensuring they were engaged and continuously on-task by changing activities continuously.
Linda has high expectations of her students and herself and does not accept failure. Her relationships with her students and their parents form a foundation for teaching and learning that instills a solid academic focus in their lives.
Linda holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in early childhood education, and a law degree from Northern Illinois University.
Interview with Chicago Public Radio:Click Here (mp3 format)
Interview with Linda and Nancy Loo from the morning show, Good Day Chicago: