Since 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams. Application materials are evaluated by a selection committee composed of individuals who represent a variety of educational organizations. Visit our website or reach out to the Educator Recognition Programs Coordinator, Ann Kapustiak at akapusti@isbe.net if you have questions about the program.
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The Student Advisory Council to the Illinois State Board of Education provides student voice on educational issues. Selected students participate virtually and attend meetings in Springfield throughout the school year. If you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior currently attending a public high school in Illinois, please consider lending your voice to education policy development in Illinois. Additional information may be found on the Student Voices webpage. Questions may be emailed to Dr. Leslie Ward in the Student Care Department at lward@isbe.net or ISBESAC@isbe.net.
Overview
**The deadline for applications to the Illinois Girls Lead Program has been extended to June 10, 2023!**
Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, the Illinois Council on Women and Girls advises Governor JB Pritzker and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting women and girls in the State of Illinois. The Illinois Council on Women and Girls invites girls in the state of Illinois who are in grades 5th through 12th to apply to join the Council’s Illinois Girls Lead Program. This is a program for Illinois girls led by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Women that are members of the Illinois General Assembly. Participants will be placed in three categories depending on the program chosen in your District.
As shown below, the Illinois Girls Lead Program is tailored based on grade level. For each group, students will have the opportunity to shadow a woman in government—including the Lieutenant Governor or a member of the Illinois General Assembly—in her Springfield office or in her respective district.
5TH GRADE - A DAY WITH A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
* A 5th grader from an Illinois School can shadow the Lieutenant Governor or a member of the Illinois General Assembly and visit her office for a day.
* The 5th grader can write a short reflection essay (2 to 3 paragraphs) on what they learned about leadership skills in elected office during their visit.
Schedules will be facilitated by the Office of The Lieutenant Governor or the Office of the respective member of the Illinois General Assembly.
6TH TO 8TH GRADE - A DAY WITH A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND REFLECTION
* A middle school student from an Illinois school will visit the office of the Lieutenant Governor or a member of the Illinois General Assembly twice.
* The middle schooler will be asked to write a reflection paper of 1,500 words (3 pages). The paper should contain or highlight the following:
• What does leadership mean to you?
• What duties does a member of the Illinois General Assembly have to fulfill to be a leader?
• What leadership skills would you like to develop for yourself in the coming years of middle school or high school?
Schedules will be facilitated by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the Office of the respective member of the Illinois General Assembly.
9TH TO 12TH GRADE – A POLICY RESEARCH WITH A MEMBER OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
* A high school student from Illinois is invited to participate in policy research in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the office of an Illinois General Assembly Woman, where she will assist in a research project regarding a policy issue relevant to her district.
*The Research Project track will include at least three visits to an office from the student, followed by a policy white paper (2500 words) on the issue being researched.
Schedules will be facilitated by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the Office of the respective member of the Illinois General Assembly as well as a discussion on which policy issue best fits the program.
Application Process
The deadline for applications to the Illinois Girls Lead program has been extended to June 10, 2023!
A panel of members from the Illinois Council on Women and Girls will review and score your application based on how you have shown your leadership skills, your interest in this program, and how you have collaborated with others. The review process will focus on diversity because we value the varied experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and qualifications Illinois girls bring to the table.
The Council will invite selected applicants to interview. The pairing will be made in June 2023 and begin meeting in July 2023, kicking off the program with a very special event.
We want you to know that just by applying, you have already distinguished yourself as a leader. Your voice and participation contribute to how Illinois can be better and do the work to benefit women and girls.
If you have questions or need more information about the Illinois Girls Lead program, please contact Leadership and Inclusion Subcommittee Co-Chair Nikita Richards at (872) 588-6130 or ndrcommunications@gmail.com.
If you have any technical issues accessing or submitting the application, please contact Council member Jackie Matthews at jmatthew@isbe.net or (312) 590-4327.
We can't wait to meet you, and we will be in touch soon.
Sincerely,
Illinois Council on Women and Girls