Sheryl Nakonechny is a sixth grade teacher at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb. Ms. Nakonechny makes sure that hands-on learning, peer tutoring, and discovery techniques challenge children and capture their attention. Drawing upon her sense of humor and commitment to children, Ms. Nakonechny works to make learning in her classroom a kinetic experience. Ms. Nakonechny is an active advocate of and leader for her school's transition to the "middle school concept," and is a mentor teacher for new staff in her building. A late-comer to the profession, Ms. Nakonechny raised her four children before embarking on her teaching career nine years ago. "Our respect needs to include all children," says Ms. Nakonechny, "from the child with special talents to the child with special needs."
1980 Northern Illinois University, B.A.
