It’s with great pride that I announce that Mrs. Angie Neilson has been selected as a finalist for the Illinois State Board of Education’s Those Who Excel – Teacher of the Year Award.
This is one of the highest honors an educator in Illinois can receive. The Those Who Excel program was created to recognize outstanding educators who exemplify what’s best about our profession — people who go above and beyond, who inspire both hearts and minds, and who transform classrooms into places of purpose, curiosity, and belonging.
To be named a finalist means that Mrs. Neilson stands among the very best teachers in our entire state. It means that her passion for her students, her commitment to excellence, and her impact on our school community have reached far beyond the walls of Civic Memorial High School.
When you walk into her classroom, you see more than just great instruction — you see a teacher who believes in every student, who makes learning engaging and meaningful, and who models what it means to lead with compassion and strength. You see a teacher who brings out the best in others — both students and colleagues alike.
Mrs. Neilson represents everything that makes CMHS special. She embodies our values — ALL IN, Pound the Stone, Hard Work Pays Off. Her nomination is not just a recognition of her excellence, but a reflection of our collective mission as educators — to make a lasting difference, one student at a time.
So, today we celebrate Mrs. Neilson, not only for what she’s accomplished, but for what she continues to inspire in all of us — the belief that teaching is more than a job; it’s a calling, and when done with heart, it can truly change lives.
Congratulations, Mrs. Neilson. You make us proud to be Eagles. 💜💛