One could say teachers in the Unit 1 School District are out of this world, and when it comes to lighting up education there are a few that shine bright among their peers.
In recognition of all they do for their students and the school community, five district teachers—one from each academic building—were selected by their colleagues as Star Teachers.
The recognition program was established by the Coal City Community Unit Education Association—the union that represents the school district’s certified staff. Members of the union were provided an opportunity to nominate a teacher at each building, the recipients being featured in the union’s entry in the annual Coaler Homecoming parade.
Selected as this year’s Star Teachers—Julie Brncich, Early Childhood Center; Cris Bormet, Elementary School; Jenn Ness, Intermediate School; Lori Moir, Middle School, and Mary Kay Stay, High School.
“We are proud of all of our union members, and it was great to see the support and positive comments given to colleagues,” stated CCCUEA representatives. In all, there were 41 nominations submitted across the five academic buildings.
Julie Brncich is the art teacher at Coal City Early Childhood Center and according to a colleague, “the kids absolutely adore her and love going to her class.” It was noted that on dress like a teacher day last year, several students dressed up to be her, showing how much she is admired in their building.
Her classroom at the ECC is a colorful and inviting space where the building’s kindergarten and first grade students get to showcase their creativity through various forms of art.
In their nominations, fellow teachers also said, “this teacher has the best attitude about her very, very busy schedule. She loves being creative and sharing that with all of her many students. She goes out of her way to help other teachers with projects both for school and outside of school. She has the biggest smile on her face all the time. She is so patient and kind to all our youngest students.”
Brncich also teaches second and third grade art at the Elementary School.
Selected as the Elementary School’s Star Teacher was Cris Bormet who is currently in her 19th year of teaching in the Coal City School District. She is described as the teacher who is all about going above and beyond for students and colleagues, as well.
In their nominations, fellow teachers report Bormet will hang out a recess with kids who struggle there, and she will hang out with another teacher’s class to help in the hallways.
“She’s an amazing teacher who goes out of her way to make sure everyone—students and colleagues—are taken care of. Cris is so caring, kind and always fun to be around. She would do anything to help out a friend or coworker.”
Her fellow teachers also say, “she has fabulous connections with her students. She is an incredible teacher and person.”
Jenn Ness takes on different roles all year long. Her colleagues report she serves on many committees to keep the focus on her students as well as the building's students who she always puts first.
“Her students are her number one priority and she makes lifelong connections with them,” stated one of the nominations received by the union.
Ness teaches fourth grade at the Intermediate School, serves as its Student Council sponsor and facilitates the district’s Learning Leadership Team [LLT].
Fellow educators also said, “she organizes many positive activities for our school, where the students are contributing to our community! I admire my nominee because she is constantly seeking new ways to become a better teacher and share them with the rest of the teachers in the building.”
Sixth grade math teacher Lori Moir, “has made impacts on so many of her students over the years,” stated one of the nominations for her selection as the Middle School’s Star Teacher.
Moir, teachers say, “makes an effort to support students by attending sporting events. She is a colleague that I have gone to for advice because of her experience and knowledge. She is caring, hardworking, selfless, and a great friend to work with. This teacher works hard everyday to make sure her students are successful in her classroom. She tutors students both before and after school on a regular basis without pay.”
Moir has been in the field of education for over 30 years and her colleagues say that even at the end of her career, “she keeps looking for new ways to engage her students and to make her class fun.”
Additionally, “she is kind, patient, caring and compassionate. She is a tremendous positive influence on CCMS staff and students. From coming in early every morning to help students with their math homework, to baking homemade treats to share with her coworkers, she truly embodies what it is to be a self-less, caring, giving person. She is an asset to the middle school by volunteering for various committees and is responsible for organizing whatever is put in front of her.”
Coal City High School faculty say Mary Kay Sthay is hands down one of the top teachers in the building.
“She has a level of academic and behavior expectation in her classroom, but has the compassion of each of her students to help them meet those expectations,” noted one of the nominations submitted in her honor for Star Teacher.
Fellow staff members also point to her work and understanding of the importance of social emotional learning [SEL] in high school.
“Every Monday during CCT she incorporates something SEL. This is not administrative directed. This is Mary Kay seeing and understanding that social emotional learning can have just as big of an impact as academic skills. The students have come to love it and expect it, and we've seen growth in so many because of it. I've often said I wish every teacher was Mary Kay. She is absolutely making an impact on our students academically and social/emotionally. Moreover, Mary Kay is a positive spark among staff, as well. She's a leader in what she does and maintains a positive vibe consistently. We need more Mary Kays in our buildings,” the nominations stated.