Zion Elementary School District 6 announced on May 8 that several of its teachers and staff were nominated for honors at the 5th Annual Educator of the Year Celebration, hosted by the Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation. The event took place on May 6 and included more than 1,000 educators and school staff from across Lake County.
The recognition highlights the work done by educators in supporting students throughout the district. Honorees from Zion Elementary School District 6 included Emelyn Gonzalez Garcia (Beulah Park Elementary) for Educational Service Personnel; Ana Lobato De La Torre (East Elementary) for Classroom Diverse Learner Teacher; Nathan Sweet (Elmwood Elementary) for Classroom Elementary/Early Childhood Teacher; Duane Brienen (Zion Central Middle School) for Classroom Middle School Teacher; Daniel Esposito (Zion Central Middle School) for Student Support Personnel; and Kelli Blakeslee (Shiloh Park Middle School), who received Guest of Honor Recognition in Library Media.
“It was truly special gathering to celebrate the people who make such a lasting difference in the lives of students across Lake County every single day. From classrooms to offices, libraries to cafeterias, and everywhere in between, each of you plays an important role in shaping, supporting, and inspiring children,” said event organizers.
The Zion Elementary School District 6 serves grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade with schools including Beulah Park Elementary, East Elementary, Elmwood Elementary, Lakeview School, Shiloh Park Elementary, West Elementary, and Zion Central Middle School. The district is located in Zion within Lake County according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
According to recent data from the Illinois State Board of Education, ZESD 6 employs a total of 164 teachers earning an average salary of $58,629 before pension contributions. The teaching staff is comprised predominantly of women at 83.3 percent while men make up 16.7 percent. Additionally, no teacher had more than ten absences during a school year.
The district’s student population is diverse: it is composed of approximately 4.9 percent White students, 36.6 percent Black students, and over half—50.9 percent—Hispanic students according to ISBE. In terms of funding and expenditures per pupil during the last reported year ZESD spent $27,927 per student with a total budget nearing $69 million according to ISBE.
Chronic truancy remains below state averages: there were reportedly179 chronically truant students enrolled in ZESD during the most recent school year measured—a rate equaling about seven percent compared with nearly ten percent statewide according to ISBE.
In closing remarks celebrating all nominees and honorees from across districts this year: “To all nominees, honorees, and award recipients for the 2025–2026 school year congratulations,” said event organizers.
