Each year, OPEF awards the Staszak Outstanding Educator of the Year Award to an outstanding and exemplary D97 educator for devotion and service to the students of D97. The Staszak Outstanding Educator of the Year Award was established to honor the legacy of William Staszak’s commitment to the Oak Park community. Mr. Stazak served as a Village Trustee and was a devoted member of the Board of Directors of the Oak Park Education Foundation.
Recent Staszak Outstanding Educator of the Year Award Winners:
2024: Jennifer Jaros, Holmes Elementary School
Multilingual Teacher
2023: Nichelle Stigger, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School;
7th Grade Language and Literature Teacher; Leader of the Brook’s Social Justice Club
2022: John Hodge, Irving Elementary School Principal
2021: Monica Collins, Horace Mann Elementary School Social Worker
2020: John Ellwanger, Beye School Principal
2019: John Colucci, Julian Middle School, 6th Grade Language;
Literature Teacher and leader of Spoken Word for OPEF
