Alumnae Named Finalists for Chicago Teaching Awards

Dedication, innovation, leadership, respect for children and their families, and commitment to professional growth embody the National Louis University alumnae named as finalists of the Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards.

Finalist Kim Edwards Anderson (B.A., Early Childhood Education '88) teaches kindergarten at Chase Elementary in Chicago and is celebrating her 26th years as a teacher.  Finalist Ziomara Perez (B.A., Early Childhood Education and Human Development '97) teaches pre-school at Nettlehorst School in Chicago. 

The Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards recognize excellence in teaching by educators who work with children from birth to age 8 in the Chicago-land area.

"Once again we were honored to have such an exemplary field of candidates," said Sara Slaughter, Director of the Education Program of the McCormick Foundation. "These five educators illustrate a commitment to lifelong learning that radiates out to their students, families, and communities."

Anderson and Perez are two of five teachers who were selected from a field of 68 outstanding educators nominated last fall by an esteemed committee of leaders in the field of early childhood education. The fellows of the Kohl McCormick Academy of Outstanding Educators (former Award winners) teamed with other early childhood education leaders to conduct site visits of the most notable nominees.

"Each day these teachers engage their students' imaginations, unlocking each child's full potential with the hope that one day they will pay it forward and transform our world," said Dolores Kohl, President and CEO of the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation. "The Kohl McCormick finalists are clearly the crème de la crème of Chicago teachers."

Three of the five finalists will be chosen to represent the best of their field, following a final application process that includes written applications and interviews with a panel of experts. Those three honorees will be announced in April, and will be honored at the 2011 Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards luncheon ceremony on Tuesday, June 7, at the Westin Chicago River North.

The three winners will each receive:
-A $5,000 cash award;
-A $1,000 cash award for their school;
-Induction into the Kohl McCormick Academy of Outstanding Educators;
-A classroom visit and professional development from the StoryBus;
-A graduate‐level course at The Erikson Institute;
-Recognition at a formal awards ceremony

The Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards remains unique since its inception when it became the first awards program to formally recognize the contributions of teachers working with children from infancy through third grade. Now in its sixteenth year, the Kohl McCormick Awards program has become a model for recognition of outstanding early childhood educators. The McCormick Foundation and the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation sponsor the Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards program. To learn more about this program please visit the awards website.