On Tuesday, February 18th, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the over 500 Illinoisans honored for their extraordinary contributions to education across the state through its annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. The annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate incredible classroom teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities.
“Illinois educators are changing lives every single day, and today we celebrate the very best among them,” said State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tony Sanders. “Our 2025 Those Who Excel awardees and Teacher of the Year Cohort exemplify excellence in teaching and leadership, ensuring their students feel supported, included, and inspired. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the 2025 Those Who Excel Awardees and Teacher of the Year finalists.”
Mokena School District 159 has six award recipients. Selected awardees received recognition in one of three levels:
To receive the Award of Excellence, the most prestigious of the Those Who Excel honors, educators must have demonstrated a commitment to equity and to the success of all students. They regularly collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create positive school cultures. They are lifelong learners who connect their schools to the community at large and who inspire other education professionals within and beyond their schools.
Educators presented with the Award of Meritorious Service have gone above and beyond in service to their school communities. They are experienced educators who take on leadership opportunities and whose accomplishments uplift the culture of learning in their school. They stand as exemplars of their profession and have become integral members of their schools and districts.
Educators who receive the Award of Special Recognition are valued members of their school community who have been recognized by their colleagues, students, families, and administrators for the skills, passions, and talents they bring to their school community.
Kathy Arduino, First Grade Teacher at Mokena Elementary School, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Classroom Teacher. Mrs. Arduino has demonstrated extraordinary teaching expertise and a commitment to student success. She plays a pivotal role in creating a culture of respect, inclusivity, and achievement within her school community. She demonstrates a deep understanding of child development and tailors her instruction to meet her students’ needs. Kathy understands that education is a shared responsibility and works tirelessly to build meaningful relationships with everyone involved in her students’ learning experiences, including parents and families. Mrs. Arduino has also developed the importance of community service and well-being for her students as she has led and organized the school’s Veterans Day Assemblies, led fundraising efforts for Honor Flight Chicago throughout the district, and started a walking club for students at the school. As the longest-serving teacher on her team, Mrs. Arduino serves as a mentor to first year teachers, a supervisor of student teachers, and welcomes high school interns in their first steps of exploring our profession. Her imprint is spread all around the Chicagoland area.
Sharon Horvath, Fifth Grade Teacher at Mokena Intermediate School, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Classroom Teacher. Mrs. Horvath’s enthusiasm towards her profession and conscientious work habits are unsurpassed. She is continually seeking out ways to enhance her instruction in order to help all of her students reach their potential. Sharon is able to make connections with her students and uses those connections to help differentiate her instruction. Sharon strives to create an atmosphere of respect in her classroom. Her leadership both within her grade level as well as school wide are noteworthy. Sharon has served as her grade level leader which entails collaborating with building administration as well as leading discussions and collaboration activities with her team. Sharon helped to drive the implementation of our ELA curriculum. The curriculum is challenging and her consistent leadership allowed our ELA teachers to stay focused and work through the rigorous content. As a veteran educator, the novice staff frequently go to her for guidance. Sharon has served as an official mentor for new staff, a cooperating teacher for pre-service educators, and has high school interns in her classroom frequently. Sharon’s experience as an excellent educator is being passed along to future educators.
Dr. Kristin Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, has been recognized with an Award of Excellence-Administrator. Dr. Johnson embodies the high standard of dedication, expertise, and community as she consistently demonstrates exceptional knowledge and commitment to advancing educational excellence. Her innovative approach and collaborative spirit have profoundly impacted students, staff, and the Mokena community. Under her leadership, Mokena Schools have seen measurable improvements in student achievement, with data indicating consistent growth across various grade levels and subject areas. Dr. Johnson is unwavering in her commitment to ensuring each student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for future success and teachers have the materials and professional learning needed to provide rigorous and tailored instruction to their students. She works tirelessly to support diverse learners by developing inclusive educational practices. Dr. Johnson continuously advocates for the development of the whole child as her work often extends beyond academics, addressing the holistic needs of students and fostering their social and emotional growth. She also shares her time and expertise through presentations at numerous state and national conferences as well as an adjunct professional for doctoral students as they work towards their degrees in superintendency.
Dr. Jessica Lucas-Nihei, School Psychologist at Mokena Elementary School, has been recognized with an Award of Meritorious Service- School Support Personnel. Dr. Lucas-Nihei excels at building positive and supportive relationships with teachers and staff, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances the school’s culture. Her ability to organize and interpret information ensures that teachers have the meaningful data they need to guide instruction effectively. She consistently attends professional development opportunities and brings back valuable, actionable insights that are seamlessly integrated into our school practices. One of her most notable initiatives was the “Executive Skills Group” that she led for 20 teachers over two years. This program was designed to implement structures and supports for all students while specifically targeting those with identified needs. The results were tangible and inspiring as classroom routines and effective visual aids transformed student engagement and learning outcomes. Dr. Lucas-Nihei connects with students in a unique and engaging way, making her a relatable figure who inspires and motivates them to reach their potential. Her passion for her work and her unwavering commitment to students are truly commendable.
Stacie Kittler, Social Worker at Mokena Elementary School, has been recognized with an Award of Excellence-School Support Personnel. Mrs. Kittler has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to lead and inspire others. She is frequently called upon to guide teams, lead discussion, and provide support during critical moments at her school and other schools in the district. Her leadership style is characterized by inclusivity, empowerment, and a deep commitment to advocating for the needs of all students, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Mrs. Kitler is a coach for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 PBIS and organizes and leads the Kids Connection Program. She has served as a mentor staff member. Whether it is assisting students with personal challenges, connecting families to resources, or supporting school programming, she is always willing to step in wherever there is a need. Her commitment to social justice, advocacy, and the holistic well-being of students has inspired countless others to join her in the work of creating an environment where every student can thrive.
Craig Martinus, Eighth Grade English-Language Arts Teacher and ELA Department Head, has been recognized with an Award of Special Recognition-Classroom Teacher. Mr. Martinus always leads with one goal in mind: to ensure our students receive the best English Language Arts instruction possible. As Department Head, he has led the department in exploring and adopting new instructional materials in order to strengthen the curriculum. Through his leadership and coordination with the building leadership team, the junior high has implemented a school improvement goal to improve writing skills in every content area. This initiative has led to tremendous student growth at the junior high school. The eighth grade class of 2024 entered MJHS as sixth graders with only eleven percent of them meeting or exceeding on the written expression portion of the IAR. Through the work and leadership of Mr. Martinus, the same students finished their eighth grade year with eighty-eight percent of them meeting and exceeding in written expression. Mr. Martinus works tirelessly to ensure the students, regardless of their background or previous performance, reach their highest potential. Craig has also served as a mentor for numerous new ELA teachers to the junior high ensuring their instruction and classroom practices meet the high levels of performance we expect in the district. He is always challenging himself and others to continue to grow as educators and take risks to try new things so they can be the best versions of themselves for their students.
Mokena SD 159 Superintendent, Steve Stein, shared, “It is a great honor to have six outstanding Mokena School District staff members who have been honored among the Illinois State Board of Education’s Those Who Excel Award! This well-deserved recognition is a testament to their passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence in education. Their hard work and support for students, colleagues, and the community make a lasting impact, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. Thank you for your exceptional contributions to District 159; your dedication truly makes a difference!”
Mokena’s award winners will be honored at the 51st Annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Banquet on May 17th. Congratulations to all of the awardees! A full list of the awardees may be found here.
More information on these awards can be found at
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