Career Guidance Team Celebrates Area Educators

Recognizing teachers on National Teacher Appreciation Day!

Teacher appreciation and recognition was on Thursday, May 9 at 4:00 PM in the Oakley Lindsay Center lobby, 300 Civic Center Plaza, Quincy, IL. Workforce development partners on the Career Guidance Team hosted and award two area teachers with prizes from local businesses.

“Everyday, teachers are educating, informing, influencing and shaping our future,” states Gena Finley, co-chair of the Adams County Works Career Guidance Team and program coordinator for Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center. “They play such a vital role in the lives of children. This is just a very small way to let them know we appreciate everything they do for their students and their community. They deserve so much more!”

Additionally, teachers received a classroom party, where guest speakers will talk to students about future opportunities in our community. The Great River Economic Development Foundation hosts each party as a way to thank teachers, as well as engage students with area employers and future opportunities.

Prior to the press conference, teachers were encouraged to submit their information for a chance at the appreciation prize. 86 teachers submitted information from Adams County Public and Parochial Schools, and winners drawn at random.

Angela Caldwell, GREDF workforce development director provided an introduction about the importance of education and how it prepares students for work, and a representative on the Career Guidance Team presented the teacher appreciation prizes.

The Career Guidance Team mission is to Encourage, Educate & Connect: Encourage and foster awareness of careers; educate youth and job seekers about area career opportunities; build connections between families and local employers.

The Career Guidance Team is sponsored by the following partners:  Great River Economic Development Foundation, John Wood Community College, Quincy University, United Way of Adams County, Inc., West Central Region Ed. For Employment System #240, and Workforce Innovation Board of Western Illinois.