Board of Education Celebrates Students and Outgoing Leaders at Meeting May 20, 2025
At each board meeting, we like to celebrate students and staff members for outstanding accomplishments. Here are the celebrations from last night’s meeting:
Kindest Kid in America Nominees
Ming Shelby, Director of Professional Learning, introduced the Kindest Kid in America Nominees.
The organization Kindest Kid in America’s mission is to do our part to invest in our future leaders and support our educators in creating kinder school cultures in America. Three of our students were nominated.
Tristan
A note from Tristan’s nomination letter: Tristan is one of the kindest students I’ve had the pleasure to teach in years. He looks out for others by ensuring everyone is included in activities both in the classroom and on the playground. He encourages others to be their personal best. He advocates for himself and others. He’s empathetic and a great friend to all his classmates. Tristan is a silent leader and role model
Avy
She always speaks kindly to everyone, no matter who they are, and goes out of her way to truly “listen” when others speak or share. Avy befriends students who really don’t have other friends. Avy also makes cards and writes letters to those who are sick or just having a bad day.
Elli is the first winner of Kindest Kid in America in Illinois.
Elli consistently seeks opportunities to make others feel included, valued, and cared for. Whether she thoughtfully creates special bracelets for her classmates, notices when someone feels left out, or quietly offers help without being asked, her acts of kindness leave a lasting impact. She’s always the first to lift a friend’s spirits, step in with a helping hand, and brighten someone’s day with her kind words and thoughtful gestures. Her kindness truly makes a difference in our school community!
Please join us in recognizing Tristan, Avy, and Ellie, and join them, make kindness contagious.
Blue Star Award Recipient
Next, we recognized a remarkable HC Storm Elementary School student, Emmett. Emmett was recently honored with the Blue Star Award—a distinction given to just one student at each Boys & Girls Club location. He was selected from among 35 honorees across the organization, which serves nearly 3,000 students. The Blue Star Award celebrates students who embody leadership, engagement, positivity, and kindness while at the Club. Emmett, thank you for your incredible example. We’re proud of who you are and how you’ve stepped up as a leader in the after-school program at HC Storm.
Educator of the Year Nominees
Next, we celebrated three staff members who were nominated for Kane County Educator of the Year Awards. Lisa Hatfield is our 5th Grade Band and Orchestra Teacher, Monika Hubble is a Social Studies Teacher at Rotolo Middle School, and Heather Mendel is the Principal’s Secretary at Rotolo.
Education is a people business, and our district was fortunate to have 3 exceptional employees represent us at the Kane County Educator of the Year awards. These 3 were nominated and supported by peers, students, parents, and administrators. They did a remarkable job representing the district and our work at the ceremony. Lisa, Monika, and Heather, thank you for everything you do day in and day out, and Monika, we wish you the best in your next steps in life.”
Gina Greenwald Recognition
We honored Gina Greenwald, the retiring Principal of Hoover-Wood Elementary School, after 11 years of service to the District. Several staff members from HWS joined BPS101 leaders in a reception for Gina prior to the Board Meeting.
Kevin Botterman Recognition
The Board thanked Kevin Botterman for serving as the Batavia Educational Support Professionals Association (BESPA) President. Kevin is stepping down, and BESPA is in the process of voting in their next leadership team this week.