Lester Crown Distinguished Teachers
Honoring educators who lead with curiosity, commitment and impact.
Distinguished educators
The Lester Crown Griffin MSI Distinguished Teacher Award honors educators who turn professional learning into meaningful classroom impact. Recipients have completed at least four Griffin MSI science education courses, deepening their understanding of NGSS-aligned curriculum, strengthening instructional practice and bringing new strategies and resources back to their students. Each Distinguished Teacher receives a certificate, a personal $1,000 award and a $1,000 award for their school in recognition of their leadership and commitment to science education.
This recognition highlights teachers who translate growth into action. Honorees apply what they learn to create engaging, equitable science classrooms that support student success and inspire colleagues to elevate their practice.
Why teachers matter
Teachers shape how students experience science and how they imagine their futures. By investing in educator growth, stronger science instruction reaches classrooms, schools and communities. Since 2016, teachers from high-needs schools have been recognized for sustained commitment to improving science teaching, with support from the Crown Family Philanthropies. Their leadership strengthens learning environments and expands opportunity for the students they serve.
“Lester Crown Distinguished Teacher award recipients embody educators' unwavering dedication to foster a love for science in their students. ... We're proud to recognize these educators.”
— Jessica Chavez, Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee Vice President of Education & Chief Learning and Community Partnership Officer
Recent Honorees
2025 honorees
- Ain D. Muhammad, Robert A. Black STEAM Elementary, Chicago, IL
- Denise L. Carter, Colin Powell Middle School, Matteson, IL
- Khadija Snowber, The Science and Math Academy, Des Plaines, IL
- Kristin Dillon, St. Stanislaus Kostka Academy, Chicago, IL
- Natalie Vanlaningham, Whittier Elementary School, Waukegan, IL
- Ryan D. Johnson, Acero Jovita Idar, Chicago, IL
- Sarah Berk, Robert Healy Elementary School, Chicago, IL
2024 honorees
- Pearce Dowden, SPC Daniel Zizumbo School, Chicago, IL
- Jenny Croitoru, James Ward School, Chicago, IL
- Bonnie Lardi, Braceville Elementary School, Braceville, IL
2023 honorees
- Patricia Ferris, SPEED S.E.J.A District 802 and ECHO Joint Agreement (Champaign-Ford Regional Office Of Education #9 - Learning Technology Center), Chicago Heights, IL
- Dona Gentles, Dolton Middle School (S.T.E.M. Academy), Calumet City, IL
- Debbie McNulty, St. Francis Borgia School, Chicago, IL
- Sarah Murphy, Edgebrook Elementary, Chicago, IL
- Meggan Romei, O. A. Thorp Scholastic Academy, Chicago, IL
- Tracy Sevier, Langston Hughes STEM School, Chicago, IL
Earlier Honorees
Since 2016, teachers have been recognized for their commitment to improving their instructional practices in core science subjects at high-needs schools with support from the Crown Family Philanthropies.
Jami Brown Tucker, Roosevelt Elementary School, Broadview, Ill.
Donna Calder, Boscobel Schools, Boscobel, Wisc.
Sean Murphy, Fiske Elementary, Chicago
John Citek, Oriole Park School, Chicago
Shelley Eckerman, Hanson Park Elementary School, Chicago
Nicole Hauser, Robert Healy Elementary School, Chicago
Kathryn Schoedel, Carlos Fuentes Elementary, Chicago
Lindsay Toomey, Hamlin Upper Grade Center, Alsip, Ill.
Allison Acevedo, John Middleton Elementary, Skokie, Ill.
Matrina Eno, Cottage Grove Upper Grade Center, Ford Heights, Ill.
Holly Heneghan, South Loop School, Chicago
Robert Argent, William P. Gray Elementary School, Chicago
Jackie Gaiser, Moos Elementary School, Chicago
Michele Oubre, Avondale-Logandale Elementary School, Chicago
Heather Ougormad, Roberto Clemente - Acero School, Chicago
Michelle Pena, Liberty Junior High School, Chicago
Veronica Romo, Notre Dame School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee
Rachael Skinner, Robert Healy Elementary School, Chicago
Allison Tracey, John W. Garvy School, Chicago
Tom Mackie, O. A. Thorp Scholastic Academy, Chicago
Eileen Podrazik, Hanson Park Elementary School, Chicago
Ashley Albritton, CICS Bucktown, Chicago
Michelle Arroyo, Sawyer Elementary, Chicago
Jennifer Beebe, George Washington Elementary, Chicago
Kathryn Bolster, Crete-Monee Middle School, University Park, Ill.
Niamh Burke, Sawyer Elementary, Chicago
Vida Cantieri, Nobel School, Chicago
Korinee Carr, Tilton Elementary, Chicago
Karen Cistrunk, Posen Intermediate School, Posen, Ill.
Janice Coleman-Mathus, Bradwell School of Excellence, Chicago
Robert Delgado, Emerson Elementary, Maywood, Ill.
Ronald Hale, Stephen K. Hayt School, Chicago
Bridget Heneghan, Hibbard Elementary, Chicago
Christopher Hunger, Maddock School, Burbank, Ill.
Carol Ann Kendrick, Bouchet International Baccalaureate Academy, Chicago
Sharon Koenig, Columbia Central Middle School, Steger, Ill.
Rebecca Kornack, Salmon P. Chase Elementary School, Chicago
Kayla Madej, Crete-Monee Middle School, University Park, Ill.
Julia Marusarz, Hamlin Upper Grace Center, Alsip, Ill.
Jaclyn Myjak, George Washington Elementary, Chicago
Julie Nelson, Reed Custer Middle School, Braidwood, Ill.
Miriam Perez, Talman Elementary, Chicago
Angelo Restivo, William J. Onahan Elementary, Chicago
Mary Rodriguez, Edwards Elementary, Chicago
Deirdre Ryan, Providence St. Mel, Amandala Charter School, Chicago
Sami Smith, CICS West Belden, Distinctive Schools, Chicago
Angela Weece, Whittier Elementary, Chicago
Kevin Ziolo, South Loop Elementary, Chicago
Sylesha Brewer, LEARN Charles and Dorothy Campbell Campus, Chicago, IL
Heath Davis, Goethe Elementary School, Chicago, IL
Jessica Denk, Stevenson Middle School, Melrose Park, IL
Melissa Diaz, Notre Dame Schools of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Juliann Frangella, Springfield Elementary School, Midlothian, IL
Caroline Hoff, UCSN Roberto Clemente, Chicago, IL
Mary Jedry, Arthur Ashe Elementary, Chicago, IL
LaToshia Maddox-Colvin, O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy, Chicago, IL
Stephanie Morales, John W. Garvy Elementary School, Chicago, IL
Megan Otero, Notre Dame Schools of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Marilyn Townsend, Edgar Allan Poe Classical School, Chicago, IL
Joan Wilson, St. Gall School, Chicago, IL
Jenine Bartosh, Crete-Monee Middle School, University Park, IL
Mary Bragg, Crete-Monee Middle School, University Park, IL
Eligia David, Linne Elementary, Chicago, IL
Diego Figueroa, Sawyer Elementary, Chicago, IL
Laura Gluckman, Sawyer Elementary, Chicago, IL
Linneth Harris, Southeast Area Elementary, Chicago, IL
Theresa Hehn, Garvy Elementary, Chicago, IL
Anna Khawam, Haines Elementary, Chicago, IL
Christina Mikus, St. Gall, Chicago, IL
Alice Miller, Sandridge Elementary, Chicago Heights, IL
Tamika Miller, Reynolds Addams Elementary, Chicago, IL
Laura Turek Pokrajac, Sundling Junior High, Palatine, IL
Jillian Ryan, Durkin Park Elementary, Chicago, IL
Cara West, Durkin Park Elementary, Chicago, IL
Myetta Ali, Crete-Monee Middle School, University Park, IL
Eileen Alps, Maternity BVM School, Chicago, IL
Sarah Boyd, Robert Healy Elementary School, Chicago, IL
Mariah Kraus, Glenwood Academy for Boys and Girls, Glenwood, IL
Mary Morf, Frances B. McCord School, Burbank, IL
Graciela Olmos, Sawyer Elementary, Chicago, IL
Stephanie Piniuta, St. Gall School, Chicago, IL