Winnebago Teacher Wins Accolades For Inspiring Student Growth And Confidence

Discover why a devoted teacher at Dorothy Simon Elementary in Winnebago, IL, was named Teacher of the Week for her outstanding commitment to student success.

97ZOK Teacher of the Week

Congratulations to Gracie Caltagerone from Dorothy Simon Elementary in Winnebago, Illinois.

Megan Moseley nominated Gracie for this honor, she writes,

Mrs. Gracie Caltagerone is an extraordinary teacher who shows dedication and a passion for empowering students. She consistently inspires young learners to believe in their potential, instilling the powerful mindset of ""the power of yet""—a reminder that while students may not grasp something immediately, they are always growing and learning toward success. With her amazing drive to support each student, regardless of their skill level, Mrs. Caltagerone spreads a love for learning in her classroom. She encourages her students to embrace mistakes as valuable lessons and uses these moments to foster self-confidence and perseverance.

What sets Mrs. Caltagerone apart is her commitment to building strong teacher-student relationships that make her students feel safe, valued, and motivated. She prioritizes meeting their social and emotional needs, understanding that true learning thrives when students feel secure and supported. Her students know they have a champion in Mrs. Caltagerone, who not only guides them academically but also nurtures them to become confident, compassionate individuals. For her incredible impact and dedication to her students, Mrs. Gracie Caltagerone deserves to be celebrated as Teacher of the Week.

During our chat, which you can hear below, we learned so many wonderful things about Ms. C., including her epic field trips and her favorite one ever.

Design by Steve Shannon

As Teacher of the Week, "Ms. C" was surprised by Emily from the Steve Shannon Show and Dave Alan with a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and money to spend at WM Day Spa Salon.

You can nominate your favorite teacher HERE. Click HERE to see past Teachers of the Week.

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