District 58 Announces 2026 Distinguished Service Award Nominees

  • Posted March 27, 2026
Banner with green decorative squares on the corners, featuring the text Distinguished Service Awards and displaying the Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 logo with a tree and "58" at the bottom.
The District 58 Education Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2026 Distinguished Service Awards (DSA), recognizing an exceptional group of staff members who make a meaningful impact across the district.
 
This year’s program received a record-setting 73 nominations, honoring 68 outstanding staff members. Several individuals were nominated by multiple students, families, and colleagues, which is an indication of the strong appreciation for their dedication and service. Nominees represent all 13 District 58 schools, including the Grove Children’s Preschool.
 
“We are grateful to our community for taking the time to recognize the incredible work happening across District 58,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell, “These nominations highlight the commitment, care, and excellence our staff bring to their roles each day.”
 
All nominees were notified of their recognition and invited to attend the 2026 Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday, May 19, at 4:00 p.m. at O’Neill Middle School. The ceremony will celebrate this year’s nominees and announce the award recipients.
 
District 58 congratulates all 2026 Distinguished Service Award nominees and thanks them for their continued dedication to students, families, and the broader school community.
 

2026 DSA Nominees

Please note: Some nominees serve multiple schools. For this list, each individual is identified by the school associated with their nominator.
  • Shqipe Ametii, Lester
  • Audrey Barc, Pierce Downer
  • Kerri Bartkowiak, Whittier
  • Andrew Biederman, Kingsley
  • María Blanco, El Sierra
  • Kevin Bowser, Pierce Downer
  • Catherine Boyce, Pierce Downer
  • Kendall Buege, Grove Children’s Preschool
  • Caitlin Choinski, Highland
  • Zachary Craft, Highland
  • Matthew D’Angelo, Hillcrest
  • Peggy Delaney, Grove Children’s Preschool
  • Susan Dillon, Grove Children’s Preschool
  • Jessica Downes, Kingsley
  • Jessica Downs, Hillcrest
  • Theresa Farrell, Herrick
  • Madelyn Fiene, Herrick
  • Amy Freitag, Lester
  • Christina Gamboa, El Sierra
  • Kinzie Geist, Herrick
  • Christy Gergits, Whittier
  • Alison Glennon, Fairmount
  • Georgann Grecco, Herrick
  • Donna Haidle, Grove Children’s Preschool
  • Colleen Hannigan, Kingsley
  • Ashley Herald, Kingsley
  • Ashley Honn, Henry Puffer
  • Sandi Hudecek, Highland
  • Jessica Jung, Hillcrest
  • Lora Kozerski, Belle Aire
  • Amy Koziowski, Fairmount
  • Michael Krugman, Whittier
  • Andrew Kupisch, Henry Puffer
  • Terri La Via, Hillcrest
  • Christine LaPoint, Hillcrest
  • Matthew Leiser, Lester
  • Kristen Leonard, Lester
  • Jason Lynde, El Sierra
  • Cheryl Lyons, Whittier
  • Julia MacKerell, Henry Puffer
  • Katie Main, Fairmount
  • Alyssa Manzo, Indian Trail
  • Kevin McDermott, Belle Aire
  • Amanda Miller, Indian Trail
  • Louise Modine, Whittier
  • Katelyn Morgan, O’Neill
  • Kristen Nagle, Highland
  • Laura Novotny, Lester
  • Heather O’Donnell, Pierce Downer
  • Katherine Padilla, Highland
  • Sarah Pinkus, O’Neill
  • Katie Porter, Whittier
  • Stephanie Potter, O’Neill
  • Cheryl Prescott, Grove Children’s Preschool
  • Carissa Redpath, Hillcrest
  • Janet Reynolds, Henry Puffer
  • Nicole Ring, Lester
  • Rebecca Rizzio, Kingsley
  • Jessica Satler, Hillcrest
  • Jessica Sima, El Sierra
  • Tasha Squires, O’Neill
  • Tony Stampfl, Highland
  • Melissa Swallows, Fairmount
  • Nichole Sziembarski, Kingsley
  • Laura Velinske, Hillcrest
  • Jonathan Vidovik, Herrick
  • Craig Young, Kingsley
  • Elizabeth Zawadzki, Hillcrest