District 47 Celebrates Spring 2026 Elevate Award Winners

District 47's Elevate program recognizes employees who uphold and exemplify the district's mission, vision, and core values and who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students, schools, and the community. Nominees and winners are announced three times a year - fall, winter, and spring. For the Spring Elevate Award, we received 36 nominations. The Elevate award committee reviewed these nominations and chose 8 winners. District 47 would also like to thank all the businesses that have chosen to sponsor our Elevate program this year. Seven local sponsors award the winners with a gift card.

Elevate Award recipients will be recognized at the May Board of Education meeting. Please take a moment to read more about our winners with a quote taken from their Elevate nomination.

Christy Bott, 2nd Grade Teacher, West

"I'm in Mrs. Bott’s second grade class. Mrs. Bott should win the Elevate award. Here are my reasons why Mrs. Bott is an amazing teacher. First, she is funny and fun. She makes me laugh. She makes a lot of jokes. We get to play heads-up 7-up every Thursday. We go on field trips with her. She is kind. When I was crying, she helped me feel better."

Jodie Busse, 4th Grade Teacher, Indian Prairie

“As my daughter’s 4th grade teacher, she has made a profound difference in her life — not only academically, but personally. This has been such an important year of growth for my daughter, and so much of that growth is a reflection of Mrs. Busse’s steady guidance, encouragement, and genuine care. From the moment you walk into her classroom, you can feel it — the reflection of her kindness shines through every corner of the room. ”

Michelle Fortin, 2nd Grade Teacher, Canterbury

“Michelle is incredibly supportive of her students. You will often hear her say, “Be proud,” when a student completes a task or assignment. Her students’ faces light up when they hear her words of encouragement and positive praise. When a student is having a difficult moment, Michelle will pull up a chair beside them or even sit on the floor next to them so she can work through the problem/situation with them. Her commitment to meeting students exactly where they are shows how much she truly cares about both their academic success and their social-emotional well-being."

Teresa Gomez, Kindergarten Teacher, Coventry

"Ms. Gomez's communication and integrity extend beyond the classroom to families and staff. Ms. Gomez consistently keeps parents informed through detailed weekly newsletters, special reminders, and shares class photos that capture the joy of learning. She responds promptly and compassionately to any questions or concerns, fostering trust and meaningful partnerships. She also actively welcomes parents into her classroom, valuing their perspectives and encouraging collaboration—strengthening the bridge between school and home."

Elizabeth Kebr, Social Worker, Canterbury

“In addition to supporting students, Elizabeth works closely with all staff members, including administrators, classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, lunch and playground supervisors, and cafeteria staff. She provides helpful ideas and strategies to support students in a wide variety of situations. Elizabeth also creates social stories and visuals for students who need them, often putting them together quickly so students can have the support they need right away. She helps set up calm corners in classrooms with the appropriate tools for students who need a few minutes to pause, regulate, and process their thoughts.”

Karson Metelak, 4th Grade Teacher, Canterbury

“Karson is one of the kindest, most compassionate educators I have encountered. Her dedication to her students goes far beyond the classroom curriculum—she approaches every child with patience, empathy, and a genuine desire to help them succeed both academically and emotionally. Her presence positively impacts not only her students but also fellow staff members, families, and the school's overall culture. Karson consistently creates a classroom environment where every student feels seen, valued, and supported.”

Lauren Moderhack, 5th Grade Teacher, Canterbury

“Lauren’s generosity toward her students is reflected in the meaningful gestures she shares throughout the year. During holidays, she often provides small tokens of encouragement—such as bubbles, candy canes, or handwritten notes reminding students that they are capable, valued, and appreciated. While simple, these moments create lasting memories and reinforce the caring culture she cultivates in her classroom. As a teammate, Lauren is equally extraordinary.”

Rebecca Morton, Assistant Principal, Coventry

“Rebecca is willing to do whatever it takes to make the building a safe space for students. She is working hard to build relationships with our 600+ students and pays close attention to building relationships with the students who need it most. For example, she is doing a "check and connect" with a student in my class who expressed the need for more connection. My student always asks if she is coming around and is excited to connect with her.“