Staszak Outstanding Educator of the Year Award

Stasazak 2026 Educator of the Year

The Staszak Outstanding Educator of the Year Award was established to honor the legacy of William Staszak’s commitment to the Oak Park community. The 2026 award winner is Jenny Raia, Longfellow School’s Art Teacher. Jenny has been a District 97 art teacher for 22 years and is known for building inclusive classrooms where every student feels seen and celebrated. She also leads as the district’s Art Department Chair, coordinating art shows across Oak Park and creating opportunities for students to connect through art. Raia’s peers describe her as a “transformative educator” whose leadership and empathy exemplify the spirit of teaching in District 97. Ms Raia will be honored at a special ceremony at 2:00pm at Julian Middle School.

Prior to the ceremony, families are invited to OPEF’s Spring Open House on Sunday, April 19th from 12:00pm – 2:00pm to explore six interactive stations that highlight the creativity, curiosity, and learning fostered by OPEF programs across District 97. At the 2:00 p.m. ceremony, OPEF will honor Jenny Raia and officially unveil its new name and logo, marking an exciting new chapter for the organization.