Charter Excellence Awards

At INCS, we value educational equity and excellence above all else. We know neither is possible without the contributions of teachers, principals, families, and students, and so each year we honor community members who go above and beyond for their schools.

About the Charter Excellence Awards

The 2024 INCS Charter Excellence Awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding individuals across the Illinois charter community who make charters the transformational schools they are.

This year, we received a record-breaking 184 nominations from charter schools across the state. The awards went to:

  • Principal of the Year: Michelle Navarre (Polaris Academy)
  • Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Lily Murphy (Elgin Math & Science Academy)
  • Elementary School Teacher of the Year — Runner Up: Donella Austin (Catalyst Circle Rock)
  • High School Teacher of the Year: Guadalupe Mendoza (Horizon Science Academy — Southwest)
  • High School Teacher of the Year — Runner Up: Laura Buckey (North Lawndale College Prep)
  • Outstanding Illinois Charter School Seniors:
    • Litzie Bucio (Horizon Science Academy — McKinley)
    • Valeria Davila (Acero Soto High School)
    • Kaleb Hulon (Perspectives/IIT Math & Science Academy)
    • Kehinde Sowemimo (Southland College Prep)
    • Jalil Ware (Legal Prep)
  • Outstanding Illinois Charter School Eighth-Graders:
    • Caylin Hamer (KIPP Ascend)
    • Anthoniya Nutall (Moving Everest)
  • Parent Advocate of the Year: Myisha Shields (Mansueto High School — Noble Schools)
  • Charter Champion: Representative Anna Moeller (43rd District)

“These 14 individuals represent the heart of the charter school movement,” said INCS President Andrew Broy. “Their work is creating excellent public schools for students across Illinois and changing thousands of students’ life trajectories We are privileged to honor them and their contributions”

Congratulations to all of our awardees! This was our most competitive submission pool to date, and we were inspired while reading each application and learning more about the role each charter educator and student plays in their schools.