Seven Joliet Public Schools District 86 teachers were named 2024 Joliet Area Great Teachers by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Overall, 23 local teachers were recognized at a banquet held at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate on March 11, 2024. The teachers were nominated by students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or community members.
This year’s District 86 winning teachers were (front row, from left to right) Laura Armstrong, Danielle Daletski, Laura Hall, (back row, left to right) Erica Krusinski, Katie Loftis, Jennifer Lopez, and Ryan Martinsen.
Laura Armstrong is the Band Director at Dirksen Junior High and Farragut, Pershing, and Lynne Thigpen Elementary Schools. She has been serving Joliet Public Schools District 86 students for the past 18 years.
With 25 years of teaching experience, Danielle Daletski is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Pershing Elementary School. Laura Hall is a special education teacher at Farragut Elementary School. She has been a teacher for 26 years.
Erica Krusinski has 13 years of teaching experience. For the past five years, Erica has served as a special education teacher at Pershing Elementary School. Katie Loftis began her teaching career 16 years ago as a student teacher at A.O. Marshall Elementary School. She is currently a Pershing 1st grade teacher.
Jennifer Lopez has been a Kindergarten teacher at T.E. Culbertson Elementary School for the past 12 years. Ryan Martinsen is a social studies teacher in the Academy Program at Washington Junior High School. He has been a teacher for the past 8 years.
“I am so proud of these amazing teachers,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse. “They always have our students’ best interests in mind.”
Combined, these teachers have been in education serving students and families for over 122 years. The teachers will also be recognized at the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors meeting in April.