The District 202 CAPE parent organization recognized 95 outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members for their dedication to students, their schools and community at the 48th annual CAPE awards night on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Plainfield High School-Central Campus.
CAPE is District 202’s committee for the Coordination of Administration and Parent groups for Educational efficiency. It serves as a “bridge” between district leadership and the parent groups for all 31 District 202 schools.
The 2024 CAPE Community Award was presented to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School veteran teacher Denise Zettek.
Zettek has been teaching at Thomas Jefferson since it opened in 2007. The honor recognized Zettek’s extraordinary multifaceted work at the school and her community volunteerism with numerous organizations including Paws Up 4 Rescue, Joliet Elks, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Zettek started many traditions at Thomas Jefferson including Family Fitness Night, intramural basketball and yoga, and field days. Her colleagues describe Zettek as a humble teacher who has touched thousands of lives.
CAPE presented its 2024 CAPE Lifetime Contributor award to Association of Plainfield Teachers president Dawn Bullock for her service to the District 202 community.
Bullock began her career at District 202 as a teacher at Walker’s Grove Elementary School in 2002. In 2012, she joined the CAPE organization and assumed the presidency of the APT. As the chief negotiator, she championed topics such as student growth, teacher evaluations and working conditions. Bullock will retire this year after serving more than 30 years in education.
2023-24 CAPE AWARD WINNERS
Community Award Winner
Denise Zettek
CAPE Lifetime Contributor Award Winner
Dawn Bullock
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL-LEVEL WINNERS
BLUE HOUSE
Charles Reed Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Aleece Pollard
• Support Staff of the Year: Stephanie Jerabek
• Volunteer of the Year: Lindsey Hallbauer
Meadow View Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Jackie Raley
• Support Staff of the Year: Nora Arias
• Volunteer of the Year: Jodi Manetti
Ridge Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Kim Gerdich
• Support Staff of the Year: Katie Kelly
• Volunteer of the Year: Wendy Sugg
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Justin Zak
• Support Staff of the Year: Grace McAllister
• Volunteer of the Year: Vinny Perez
Wesmere Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Mia Rey
• Support Staff of the Year: Sue Dohoney
• Volunteer of the Year: Stephanie Ramirez
Aux Sable Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Lauren Hubrich
• Support Staff of the Year: Vicki Perez
• Volunteer of the Year: Karen Nissen
Drauden Point Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Hailey Koziol
• Support Staff of the Year: Josephine Sherman
• Volunteer of the Year: Tiffany Ulaszek
Plainfield South High School
• Teacher of the Year: Benjamin DeLange
• Support Staff of the Year: Barbara Kowalski
• Volunteer of the Year: Sharon Korpalski-Sands
GREEN HOUSE
Central Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Alyssa Milano
• Support Staff of the Year: Araceli Lopez
• Volunteer of the Year: Amy Kukuc
Crystal Lawns Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Dawn Dannenberg
• Support Staff of the Year: Beth Gurney
• Volunteer of the Year: Connie Coberley
Grand Prairie Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Candace Savage
• Support Staff of the Year: Brooke Bieger
• Volunteer of the Year: Annie Colon
River View Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Madison Tobias
• Support Staff of the Year: Samantha DeGraff
• Volunteer of the Year: Lacey Anderson
Indian Trail Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Lisa Boe
• Support Staff of the Year: Shawn Goebel
• Volunteer of the Year: Stacy Adelmann
Timber Ridge Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Denise Bauer
• Support Staff of the Year: Roger Thigpen
• Volunteer of the Year: Ann Schuler
Plainfield High School -- Central Campus
• Teacher of the Year: Heather Loperena
• Support Staff of the Year: Chad Bailey
• Volunteer of the Year: Kimberly Radaker
RED HOUSE
Bonnie McBeth Learning Center
• Teacher of the Year: Bernie Blaser
• Support Staff of the Year: Tracy Portell
• Volunteer of the Year: Samantha Lorenzo
Eagle Pointe Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Beth Messina
• Support Staff of the Year: Katie Jensen
• Volunteer of the Year: Mary Ann Reider
Freedom Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Christine Wolinski
• Support Staff of the Year: Margaret Rodriguez
• Volunteer of the Year: Brad Hannam
Lincoln Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Dr. Karyn Fuller
• Support Staff of the Year: Amy Willoughby
• Volunteer of the Year: Alison Schwabedissen
Walker’s Grove Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Kayla Kobal
• Support Staff of the Year: Nancy Gambuzza
• Volunteer of the Year: Tiffany King
Wallin Oaks Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Hayley Hughes
• Support Staff of the Year: Tina Simmons
• Volunteer of the Year: Jessica Speck
Heritage Grove Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Sabrina Colsant
• Support Staff of the Year: Sharon Lord
• Volunteer of the Year: Elisa Mattio
Ira Jones Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Dr. Mary Kukla
• Support Staff of the Year: Kimberly Kries
• Volunteer of the Year: Michelle Greenfield-Sliwa
Plainfield Academy
• Teacher of the Year: Michele Rickerson
• Support Staff of the Year: Kathryn Cole
• Community Contributor of the Year: Kathy Thomason of JJC P-STEP
Plainfield North High School
• Teacher of the Year: Cristian Larios
• Support Staff of the Year: James Kosic
• Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Leprich
ORANGE HOUSE
Creekside Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Kimmy Schuelke
• Support Staff of the Year: Bill Raynor
• Volunteer of the Year: Kamaria Woods
Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Nicole Kurtovich
• Support Staff of the Year: Maria Fox
• Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Book
Lakewood Falls Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Denise Shakir
• Support Staff of the Year: Taylor Doyle
• Volunteer of the Year: Sarah Wells
Liberty Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Bonnie Legvold
• Support Staff of the Year: Brien Poutry
• Volunteer of the Year: Michelle Turner
John F. Kennedy Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Dan Schmitt
• Support Staff of the Year: Dolmaris Estevez
• Volunteer of the Year: Christine Parton
Plainfield East High School
• Teacher of the Year: Emily Petrus
• Support Staff of the Year: Detective Rich Meszaros
• Volunteer of the Year: Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta