Two educators from Niles Township High School District 219 have received Those Who Excel awards from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Alicia Scott, school counselor at Niles West High School received an Award of Excellence in the Student Support Personnel category; Kate Seiwert, Director of the Bridges Adult Transition Center, received an Award of Excellence in the School Administrator category.

ISBE’s Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards annually celebrate incredible classroom teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities. As recipients of the Award of Excellence, both Scott and Seiwert are recognized at the most prestigious level of the Those Who Excel honors. According to ISBE, these educators must have demonstrated a commitment to equity and to the success of all students. They regularly collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create positive school cultures. They are lifelong learners who connect their schools to the community at large and who inspire other education professionals within and beyond their schools. 

An alumna of Niles West, Alicia Scott is a champion for equity and student success, nurturing an inclusive school culture and strengthening family engagement. She is an innovative professional with an unwavering commitment to addressing students’ academic, social/emotional development, and college and career readiness needs. From empowering colleagues to representing the highest standards of the school counseling profession, Scott is known as a transformative leader who has been instrumental in improving school climate and achieving measurable outcomes.

With Kate Seiwert’s leadership, the Bridges Adult Transition Program has become a model for personalized learning and holistic student development. From contributions to the conception of the program to the incorporation of the hands-on simulation labs, Seiwert has helped create a safe and inclusive learning environment where Bridges students can thrive and develop essential life skills. She is a compassionate and dedicated advocate who has worked to enrich the educational environment and positively impact the lives of countless students within the D219 community.

“We are incredibly proud to have some of the best educators in the state at District 219,” remarked D219 Superintendent Tom Moore. “Alicia and Kate are an inspiration to their colleagues and we congratulate them on being recognized for their exceptional contributions to our school community.”

Niles Township High School District 219 currently serves about 4,600 students from Lincolnwood, Skokie, Morton Grove and Niles. Visit niles219.org/about for more information.