Meet Sonny Savitski, the inspirational teacher who transformed the lives of students through his engaging Bible lessons and compassionate mentorship.

97ZOK Teacher of the Week

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Congratulations to Sonny Savitski from Christian Life School in Rockford, Illinois.

Stacey Moore nominated Sonny, she writes,

Nomination Information: Do you ever get a feeling when you meet a stranger that somehow someway they will become a very important person in your life? That's what happened the first time I met Sonny. (I use his first name because all the kids at school do) I had just moved to Rockford and found a new church to attend. I was in the midst of a custody battle and decided to focus some energy on volunteering. Doing good. I was partnered with Sonny as we served on Sunday mornings collecting the offering. He always said hello, asked me how I was doing and was very polite. He also liked to say hello to my two young boys, which usually meant making them smile. It helped so much in our darkness.

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Soon after, Sonny was promoted to Christian Life School's Campus Pastor and took over teaching the required Bible class for middle and high school students. My son Wyatt was in middle school. Sonny quickly became a very important person and resource for Wyatt. He'd come home telling me all about the fun things he learned in Bible. Which to be honest I never knew myself. Oh and I can't not mention Wyatt then became obsessed with the TV show The Office, thanks to Sonny. His classroom was/is always open for Wyatt and any other student to walk into and just talk about what he/they might have been struggling with. There were times that Wyatt was struggling with peers and Sonny's classroom was a safe place for him to go. For me walking the hallways of the school, Sonny made it a point to say hello to me and to ask how things are going. He even gave high Fives to Wyatt's younger brother who goes to a different school. I know I can at any time write to him and ask him to check in with Wyatt. A few years ago Wyatt lost his grandpa, I reached out to Sonny right away and he made sure Wyatt knew he was there for him. This helped Wyatt process the loss that I wasn't able to help him with. Sonny is a very important person in my son Wyatt's life. This is Wyatt's Senior year and I am sad that he's growing up and moving out of the state, but I know Sonny will be just a message away should he want to talk and that my friends is a full circle moment!

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Please honor Sonny as teacher of the Week, I know I am not the only parent with this type of story about Sonny. All the kids at CLS look up to him. Thank you!"

I had the most uplifting conversation with Sonny. If you missed him on the show, you can hear it below.

Design by Steve Shannon

As Teacher of the Week, Sonny was surprised with a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and money to spend at WM Day Spa Salon.

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

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