Two Niles Township High School District 219 educators received “Those Who Excel” awards from the Illinois State Board of Education, district officials announced in a news release.
Alicia Scott, school counselor at Niles West High School in Skokie, received an “Award of Excellence” in the Student Support Personnel category, and Kate Seiwert, director of the Bridges Adult Transition Center in Lincolnwood, received an Award of Excellence in the School Administrator category, the release states.
“We are incredibly proud to have some of the best educators in the state at District 219,” Superintendent Tom Moore stated in the release.
According to the release, the awards recognize classroom teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers and school support personnel who have made what are described as lasting impacts on the students, families and fellow educators in their school communities.
As Award of Excellence recipients, both Scott and Seiwert are recognized at the most prestigious level of the Those Who Excel honors, the release states.
“Alicia and Kate are an inspiration to their colleagues and we congratulate them on being recognized for their exceptional contributions to our school community,” Moore stated in the release.
According to ISBE, to receive the Award of Excellence educators must have demonstrated a commitment to equity and to the success of all students.
Award recipients collaborate with colleagues, students and families to create positive school culture and also are lifelong learners who connect their schools to the community at large and inspire other education professionals within and beyond their schools, the release states.
“Illinois educators are changing lives every single day, and today we celebrate the very best among them,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders stated in an ISBE news release announcing the honorees.
More than 500 educators, administrators and other school staff were honored this year, according to the ISBE release.
Officials said in the ISBE release that the awards celebrate the dedication, innovation and impact of talented professionals in schools across Illinois.
“Our 2025 Those Who Excel awardees and Teacher of the Year Cohort exemplify excellence in teaching and leadership, ensuring their students feel supported, included and inspired,” Sanders stated in the ISBE release.
Officials said in the District 219 release that Scott is an innovative professional with an unwavering commitment to address students’ academic, social/emotional development, and college and career readiness needs.
“From empowering colleagues to representing the highest standards of the school counseling profession, Scott is known as a transformative leader who has been instrumental in improving school climate and achieving measurable outcomes,” officials stated in the District 219 release.
With Seiwert’s leadership, the Bridges Adult Transition Program “has become a model for personalized learning and holistic student development,” the District 219 release states.
Officials said in the District 219 release that from contributions to the conception of the program to the incorporation of the hands-on simulation labs, Seiwert helped create a safe and inclusive learning environment where Bridges students can thrive and develop essential life skills.
“(Seiwert) is a compassionate and dedicated advocate who has worked to enrich the educational environment and positively impact the lives of countless students within the District 219 community,” officials stated in the District 219 release.
District 219 enrolls about 4,600 students from Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove and Niles.
