Local News

Written by Jack McCarthy   

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced nine finalists for the distinguished Illinois Teacher of the Year Award including East Aurora’s Carol Mertes of Johnson Elementary School.
”The teachers who have been chosen as finalists represent the best of the best, and this program enables us to publicly recognize them for their dedication to education,” said Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico
An educator for over 30 years, Mertes currently teaches first grade at Johnson. She joined East Aurora Schools in 2002 after teaching in public and private/parochial schools in the greater Chicago area for over two decades.
Mertes was raised in the classrooms and offices of her family members who were influential educators in Chicago Public Schools. Her grandfather was the principal of Chicago Vocational High School and Steinmetz High School while her aunt was a life-long teacher at Kosciuszko Elementary School.
With this foundation, there was never a question what Mertes would choose as her career. In fact, she says that teaching is not a job or a career. It is her true calling and mission.
“It is a privilege to be a member of our profession, which educates and enriches the lives of children,” she states.
During her tenure in East Aurora Schools, Mertes’ work has stretched far beyond her classroom at Johnson Elementary School. She has served on the district’s School Improvement Review Team, Language Arts Curriculum Council, Reading Leaders Committee, Reading Task Force, and many more councils.
In addition, she has been a dedicated mentor to new teachers and a favorite presenter at orientation events for new staff members. She has also been very instrumental in inspiring college students majoring in education by collaborating with local universities.
“Because my students saw her in action, they now have a vision of excellence to which they can strive. By having my students watch this outstanding teacher, she is shaping the next generation of teachers to comes,” said Joan Erickson, Professor of Education at Aurora University.
Her work with students has been recognized by others throughout the state for many years. Mertes received the Kane County Private School Teacher of the Year Award from Kane County Regional Office of Education, the Illinois PTA Gold Card from the Illinois State PTA, and she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Mertes earned a Bachelors in Education from Loyola University, a Masters in Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University, a Masters in Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University, and an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement from Benedictine University.
The 2011-12 Illinois Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Those Who Excel banquet on Oct. 22.