Cass School District 63 “Those Who Excel” Recipients

Cass School District 63 Officials are extremely proud to share that two staff members were amongst approximately 200 statewide educators that were recognized this past weekend by the Illinois State Board of Education at the 2013/14 “Those Who Excel” awards’ banquet in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

This was the Illinois State Board of Education’s 39th statewide salute to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Education in Illinois. Mrs. Susan Paszkowski and Mrs. Sandy Ruby are the first ever Cass School District 63 “Those Who Excel” recipients.

Mrs. Susan Paszkowski has taught at Cass Junior High School for the past 13 years. As a teacher of Science and Math, Mrs. Paszkowski brings her lessons alive with a real-life purpose for each of her students each and every day. In addition, she has helped shape a responsible “green” attitude for students, staff and school families, with her continuous school-wide recycling initiatives.

Mrs. Sandy Ruby was an extremely supportive and active parent, including leadership roles in school parent organizations when her own children attended the schools of Cass School District 63. After her children moved on from elementary school, Mrs. Ruby began to intensify her volunteer services in the area of English Language Learners at Concord Elementary School. For the past 14 years she has volunteered to service students, whose first language is not English.

Mrs. Paszkowski and Mrs. Ruby were nominated and supported last winter and spring through the rigorous “Those Who Excel” process by colleagues, parents and students and they are both truly humbled by this statewide recognition and very proud of the recognition this has brought to the entire Cass School District 63 community.