OREGON — Oregon Neighborhood Unit College District 220’s mission assertion is “to teach college students to be lifelong learners who’re productive, accountable residents.”
“In that pursuit, we do not simply take a look at lecturers,” District Superintendent Tom Mahoney mentioned. “We additionally take a look at scholar involvement and actions that join youngsters to highschool to realize higher and thrive. We take a look at service and the way our children can study to serve our neighborhood and others. We take a look at management and the way we develop that and supply alternatives for college kids to develop. In all of this stuff, we hear them and assume, ‘That is Kim.’ She is a mission-driven trainer.”
The “Kim” Mahoney was referring to is Oregon Junior Senior Excessive College Spanish Instructor Kim Radostits. At a press convention Wednesday, Jan. 25, Radostits, identified to college students as “Ms. Rad”, was named certainly one of 5 finalists for 2023 Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months by the Council of Chief State College Officers (CCSSO). Radostits was just lately named 2022 Illinois Instructor of the 12 months.
Radostits will fly to Washington, D.C., in late February to interview with the Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months choice committee, which consists of members of nationwide training organizations that symbolize dad and mom, principals, directors, academics and civic leaders. If chosen because the 2023 Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months, Radostits will embark upon a yr of honor and repair, representing Illinois as she crosses the nation to talk at a whole bunch of occasions, advocate for college kids, elevate the up to date points academics face and encourage future academics to affix the career. CCSSO will announce the 2023 Nationwide Instructor of the 12 months in March.
“In my 16 years within the career, I’ve skilled an amazing quantity of pleasure as I’ve grown alongside the scholars in my classroom and the colleagues in my constructing,” Radostits mentioned. “I like being Ms. Rad. And I like carrying each hat that comes with that function. I am so extremely pleased with the work completed in faculties right here and throughout the state. On the onset of the pandemic, we have been all requested to do the unimaginable. Right here we’re three years later, and I can confidently say that we’ve got grown, we’re stronger and we’ve got confirmed time and time once more that we’re able to wonderful issues.”
Radostits has spent the previous yr as Illinois Instructor of the 12 months on a state-sponsored sabbatical, talking at conferences and visiting faculties throughout the state to share details about her work at OJSHS.
Radostits’ accomplishments at OJSHS have included growing a program known as Hawks Take Flight, which makes use of evidence-based metrics to establish eighth and ninth grade college students most liable to not graduating on time. This system pairs these college students with a mentor and supplies personalised, data-informed, relationship-based assist by weekly check-ins, objective setting and suggestions. The Hawks Take Flight program “drastically” decreased the variety of Fs earned by OJSHS ninth graders and elevated commencement charges.
“Within the 5 years we’ve got labored collectively I’ve watched typically in awe of the relationships and care that Ms. Rad has exemplified with among the most challenged college students at OJSHS,” Dr. Heidi Deininger, OJSHS principal, mentioned. “These relationships have resulted in highschool diplomas for college kids that had little or no perception in themselves and have been satisfied they’d by no means make it.”
OJSHS scholar Alyssa Leary spoke in the course of the press convention about when she was a freshman in the course of the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned throughout that point, Radostits went “above and past” to verify distant studying was nonetheless partaking and useful.
“She did every thing in her energy to guarantee that we have been getting probably the most out of the expertise that we may,” Leary mentioned. “I could not have gotten by freshman yr with out her assist. Her assist did not finish then. Her lasting impact carried with me and my classmates all all through the remainder of highschool. Each time I see her, she checks in with me to see how I am doing. She cares so deeply that every little examine in together with her college students really brightens her day.”
Illinois State Superintendent of Training Dr. Carmen Ayala attended the press convention Jan. 25 to congratulate Radostits, who she selected as 2022 Illinois Instructor of the 12 months. The nationwide trainer of the yr has not been from Illinois since 1968.
Ayala mentioned being a nationwide finalist speaks volumes about Radostits and the influence she’s had at OJSHS.
“I used to be struck by her accomplishments and contributions inside and outdoors of the classroom,” Ayala mentioned. “Extra importantly, I used to be struck by her message that educating is basically about relationships and college students have to know that we care earlier than they will care about what we all know. She’s used her time this previous yr to unfold the message that each scholar can study, and that once we spend money on relationships with our college students and their households, they really feel extra related to the college and the content material we’re educating.”
Radostits known as the previous yr “extremely inspiring” as she’s been capable of join with educators and aspiring educators throughout the state. However she misses being within the classroom together with her college students at OJSHS.
“With this new honor comes a blended bag of feelings for me,” Radostits mentioned. “I am excited to have the chance to proceed to make connections with individuals all throughout america. I wish to proceed to try this on behalf of my college students and colleagues. In case you’re listening to me proper now, take the time to thank a trainer. Right this moment and daily they’re ensuring the way forward for this nation is vivid by investing within the college students we’ve got in our lecture rooms.”
