Patty is in her first year of coaching the Illini women's team.  On March 1, 2008 they won the national championship by beating the University of Alabama 44-43.  Patty had played for the University of Illinois, helping them win two other National Championships during her playing career.  Patty is the captain on the gold medal winning U.S. Paralympics team.  Patty's co-workers and administrators at Nevitt continue to brag about what a great person, and teacher Patty is, and how students are truly inspired by her.  In addition to all of her athletic accomplishments, and numerous awards,  Patty is an outstanding inspirational speaker and motivator for people of all ages.

Updates:  Patty just made the 2008 USA Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team that will compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China this summer.  The tryout were held in Birmingham, AL.  "The tryouts were by far the hardest, most competitive tryout I've participated in."  Patty said.  She was named the USA Team Captain.  The first competition leading up to the Paralympics will be the Roosevelt Cup Challenge.  That will take place in Warm Springs, GA.  The USA team will compete against Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Australia, and Mexico.  We are all wishing Patty and rest of Team USA the best of luck!

Kelly Meyer
Santan Jr. High
Chandler Unified School District

Science Teacher

Kelly is currently a 7th grade science teacher at Santan Junior High. Before joining the Santan team in 2005, she taught 7th and 8th grade science in the Minneapolis School District. She takes on a lot of roles on campus such as tennis sponsor, baseball coach, and WEB coordinator. Kelly has a good rapport with her students and often starts her class by catching up with what is going on in their lives. From "Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining" to "Chandler Geology Walk", the lessons that she teaches are always hands-on and fun for the students. When asked what she would do if she weren't a teacher, she replied, "nothing else, I love my job."

Pamela Smith
Canyon de Chelly Elementary School
Chinle Unified School District

Third Grade Teacher

Pam was nominated for this award by her principal J.D. Wolfe, who stated "In a short period of time, Mrs. Smith has established herself as a positive member of the staff at Canyon De Chelly Elementary School.  She is a contributing member of our Leadership Team and a true role model for her students."  Pam is a 3rd grade teacher at  CDCES, a first through third grade school, in Chinle, Arizona, which sits at the mouth of the beautiful  Canyon De Chelly, on the Navajo Reservation.  Prior to teaching in Chinle, she taught Pre-K, K, and 1st Grade, in Bucyrus, OH.  Having "Looped" with her very first class, for three years, she is aware of the need to make a classroom a caring community and enjoys the challenge of establishing an environment of respect and rapport.  Using differentiated learning, peer teaching, hands-on and small group instruction, on a daily basis, her class has the "hum" of activity and learning in action!  What does she enjoy most about teaching?  "I enjoy being with my students, seeing that look on their faces when they "get it" and that no two days are ever the same."

 Irene Tsosie Bizahaloni
Chinle Unified School District

Navajo Language

Irene is originally from Tselani - a place of many rocks.  "Teaching at Chinle High School on the Navajo reservation is the best job I've ever encountered, and love every minute."  Irene exclaimed.  She has been teaching Navajo Language for the past seven years.  Each day she looks forward to teaching, and every day she say she comes home with endless numbers of papers to grade, and enjoys every hour of the day.  One of her assignments is for her students to to write directions from the school to where they live all in Navajo.  After this assignment she uses their written work to get to their houses on weekends.  When the roads to their house is very muddy, then Irene parks her truck at the turnoff and treks through the mud to the house.  She on occasion gets stuck or lost, but always manages to find their home.  The parents reaction to this type of teaching and visiting is very welcome.  The parents usually say "More teachers should do this!"  Irene's teaching methods and motivational activities make Navajo Language learning a great experience for her students.  She feels her students are more respectful and want to attend school more with a positive attitude towards learning more of their Navajo language.