Student Teacher Receives Rising Star Award

Jessica Bordenaro ’15 of Lockport, Illinois, was recently selected from School District 146 for the South Suburban Reading Council Patricia Burnette Rising Star Award.

The award recognizes a student teacher who displays outstanding attributes. The recipient receives $250 toward building a future classroom library, as well as a one-year paid membership to the South Suburban Reading Council.: Student Teacher Receives Rising Star Award

 “Jessica took the initiative to learn the curriculum and came up with excellent ideas to make the students engaged learners. She was organized with her work and willing to share with colleagues. She related to the students well and made the classroom a fun place to learn,” said Bordenaro’s cooperating teacher, Mrs. Dian Schulz.

Bordenaro, or Miss B. as her students called her, completed two semesters at the Fierke Education Center in Oak Forest. One hundred hours of novice teaching in the fall led directly into a semester of student teaching in the spring.

 “I absolutely loved my time in 5th grade with Mrs. Schulz. Fierke is a wonderful school, and after my time there I feel much more confident and prepared as a teacher,” she said.

Bordenaro attended a dinner on April 22 to accept the award.

“Jessica did an excellent job in her student teaching role, and I knew she would be an outstanding candidate for the award,” Schulz said.