Staff Member Receives ‘Those Who Excel’ Award

Staff Member Receives ‘Those Who Excel’ Award
Posted on 02/09/2023
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The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has honored Waukegan Public Schools’ PreK-5 Literacy Coordinator, Ms. Nicole Maki with a “Those Who Excel Award.” Ms. Maki is one of 490 educators across Illinois recognized by ISBE earlier this month. She was honored with an Award of Meritorious Service in the Administrator category. 


The Those Who Excel Awards annually celebrate educators who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities. Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators, school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams. Ms. Maki was nominated for the award by her colleagues.  


“Ms. Maki has made an impact on our high school students, families and staff through her organizational and interpersonal skills, her infectious humor, and her innate ability to problem-solve,” said District 60 Director of Teaching and Learning, Jennifer Rice de la Sanchez. 


Ms. Maki has worked in District 60 since 2010, when she began her career as a Literature teacher at Waukegan High School. In recent years she has also served as a Instructional Coach, WHS Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and for the past year as the District’s PreK-5 Literacy Coordinator. 


“I am honored that the Illinois State Board of Education would honor me with such a prestigious award, and want to thank my colleagues who rallied around me during this selection process,” said Ms. Maki.

Ms. Maki, along with the other winners, will be celebrated at the ISBE Those Who Excel banquet in April. 

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