Four area teachers honored by Career Guidance Team in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week

Workforce development partners on the Adams County Works Career Guidance Team awarded prizes from local businesses to four area teachers in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-12.

In a press release, Gena Finley, chair of the Adams County Works Career Guidance Team and program coordinator for Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center, said, “Teachers educate, inform, influence and shape future employees in their classrooms daily. We want to recognize their importance in preparing and educating children for careers in our community. Exposing students to career opportunities in our community benefits all of us, and we think these teachers deserve recognition.”

Teachers were encouraged to submit their information and a brief description of how they incorporate career readiness and Adams County companies into their class for a chance at appreciation prizes. Information was submitted from teachers in Adams County public and parochial schools. Winners were selected with consideration to how they inform students about careers in our community.

Teachers receiving appreciation prizes for their efforts in the classroom were:

• Emily Mason, a special education teacher at Central/Camp Point High School.
• Tylere Hustead, an 11th and 12th grade English teacher at Unity High School.
• Tammy Pilkington, a teacher at Unity High School who provides instruction to 8th-12th grade students in computer applications, marketing/entrepreneurship, 8th grade computers, consumer education and cooperative education
• Adam Weiman, a 7th and 8th grade agriculture teacher at Quincy Junior High School

Each teacher received a gift bag with merchandise and gift certificates totaling more than $150 each. The gifts were provided by:

• G & S Designs
• Dot Foods (Hagel Gift Card)
• QAVTC (Oil Change)
• Casino Lanes (Bowling)
• JWCC (Paraphernalia)
• Papa Murphy’s (Pizza)
• TCBY (Yogurt)
• Mercantile Bank (Gift Card)
• Blessing Health System (Paraphernalia)
• Quincy Chamber Bucks
• Quincy District Gift Certificate
• Quincy Community Theater Tickets
• Autoshine Car Wash

In addition to the recognition of teachers, Kyle Moore, GREDF president, provided an introduction and information was shared about the importance of education and how it prepares students for work.

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

The Career Guidance Team is sponsored by:

• Great River Economic Development Foundation
• John Wood Community College
• Quincy University
• United Way of Adams County, Inc.
• West Central Region Ed. For Employment System No. 240
• Workforce Innovation Board of Western Illinois

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