Thank you...Beyond Grateful

I am still in complete shock and have been trying all night to think of the right words to express how honored and humbled (along with excited, baffled, mind-blown, etc.) I am to be chosen as the "Outstanding Elementary Educator Grades PreK-2" for CPS for the 2018-2019 school year...and I still can't come up with the right words! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in 1st grade (thanks to my 1st grade teacher) and have lived my dream for 15 wonderful years! I love my job, every student I have taught (which is roughly 300 kids), their families, this town and the schools and staff I have worked at in CPS (Midway Heights, Alpha Hart, Paxton Keeley and Beulah Ralph) as a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher. 

I am beyond blessed and can't imagine doing any other job! I still don't know how I won this award with the hundreds of other wonderful teachers in this district, many of whom I learned from, but this is a moment I will never forget and am beyond humbled and grateful. Thank you to everyone who has inspired me, guided me, supported me and just been a part of this path with me. You are all loved so much! I am thankful I was able to share this with your wonderful children today (and about 30 other people who showed up in our classroom this morning as part of the surprise!) 

I also want to thank the many of you who wrote beautiful letters of support for me and helped make this possible.  I will treasure your words forever and hold you extra close to my heart for the rest of my life!  

Dr. Stiepleman-Superintendent of CPS

My grandparents

My mom and sister

My aunt