Helping students succeed goes beyond lessons, assignments, and the walls of a classroom.

For special education teachers Lenore Ashby, Kara Hight and Michelle Hunsaker at Vienna High School in Vienna, Illinois, it’s all part of helping their students move forward.

“Their impact with students who have everyday struggles is huge,” said Principal John Giffin. “They will help a student get a driver’s license, a job, or even find a car for a student. They go above and beyond for every student they have.”

Ashby, Hight, and Hunsaker see the potential in every student and recognize that success doesn't look the same for everyone. “They fight for every gain made with a student,” said Principal Giffin.

This education team makes seemingly insurmountable tasks appear effortless.

They have their students’ backs in every way possible. Advocating for curriculum. Finding extra time to work one-on-one with a student. Getting a student through the school doors. Behind all these efforts are demanding caseloads and countless hours that students and families may never see.

“I know there’s blood, sweat and tears, but they don’t complain,” he said. “They love those kids, and they’re making miracles happen every day.”

The work has added meaning as the school reflects on the 50-year legacy of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The landmark federal special education law ensures students with disabilities have access to a public education that meets their individual needs.

Fifty years later, that promise lives on through these three selfless educators. They see students not just for the challenges they face, but for the futures they can build.

For Giffin, the reason they continue giving so much of themselves is simple.

“They go above and beyond because they genuinely love their students,” he said. “When we say we love all of our students, from the impact that I see every day in those classrooms, I know that’s true.”

Watch Lenore, Kara, and Michelle’s recognition video, submitted by Giffin.

Know someone making a difference in your district?

The Sourcewell K-12 Excellence Spotlight celebrates the people who uplift their school communities. These individuals strengthen schools and help students succeed in ways that don’t often make headlines but always make an impact.

From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to back offices, you can nominate anyone who helps your school thrive. Nominations are open year-round.

Submit a nomination.

A custom Cardinals sweatshirt. 

A festive holiday ornament.  

A Friday morning smoothie.  

These aren't just school projects. At the School City of East Chicago in northwest Indiana, students in the Cardinals Creation Lab don't just make products. They create things their entire school community uses.  

Behind those opportunities is the Cardinals Creation Lab team. Educators Miriam Ortiz, Patricia Koulianos, Trinity Collins, and Ericka Eulloqui support the district’s applied skills program. Together, they help students build workplace skills by creating products that are used throughout the district.  

"They're not going to see their work anywhere — they're going to see it everywhere," said Superintendent Dr. Stephen D. Bournés.  

Students watch teachers, school board members, and even Dr. Bournés himself proudly wear apparel they designed and printed. They see the holiday ornaments they created on display. They also prepare smoothies to order during the district's Smoothie Fridays.  

That visibility gives students something even more valuable than real-world experience: confidence. 

Bournes said that confidence starts with the Cardinals Creation Lab team's willingness to try new ideas. It’s then fostered by their patience to help students keep going when things don't go as planned. 

"The number one quality that sets that team apart is their willingness to try," Bournés said. "They have an enormous amount of patience."  

Students embrace that same mindset. Bournés said students remade a T-shirt four or five times because they knew someone would be wearing it. “So here they have a very legitimate audience. As opposed to them saying, ‘Oh, I tried it once, we can't do it,’ they keep trying.”  

Whether mastering new equipment, tackling custom projects, or working through mistakes, students learn the value of persistence alongside real-world skills.  

"We're teaching our students how to be resilient," Bournés said. "If they can take those skills into the workplace post-secondary, they're going to be incredibly successful."  

This team provides students meaningful projects, high expectations, and opportunities to succeed. More importantly, they help students discover they're capable of more than they imagined. This impact will last long after the shirts are worn and the smoothies are served. Students will carry their confidence into future classrooms, workplaces, and communities.  

Watch the team’s recognition video.

Know someone making a difference in your district?

The Sourcewell K-12 Excellence Spotlight celebrates the people who uplift their school communities. These individuals strengthen schools and help students succeed in ways that don’t often make headlines but always make an impact.

From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to back offices, you can nominate anyone who helps your school thrive. Nominations are open year-round.

Submit a nomination.

When a student forgets their coat on a cold day, they don’t have to ask for help at Southern Fulton School District.

There's already a coat waiting by the playground door.

It's a small gesture, but one that reflects how school counselors Wendy Ritz and Marley Baker approach their work. They focus on identifying needs and making sure every student feels supported.

“They do all kinds of things we don't even ask them to do,” said Superintendent Meredith Hendershot. “I think it creates a safe and secure environment where kids feel comfortable to be able to learn.”

Ritz helped establish a food pantry so no student has to worry about going hungry while Baker created a supply closet and coat station. Both have helped ensure basic needs don’t become barriers to learning.

“The kids really rely on them,” said David Cason, Director of Technology and Operations. “I think they do not get enough credit for what they do.”

They support students and their families in many ways behind the scenes. In some cases, it's helping students navigate academic and social-emotional challenges. In others, it's connecting families with resources for much needed support. It can also be guiding students through testing and graduation requirements. These are just a few examples of how their work extends beyond what many people see.

“They go above and beyond every single day for our kiddos,” said Tyler Burns, Principal of Southern Fulton Elementary School. “They also do a lot with the community. Not just for our students, but also for our parents and families. People trust them. They know they can go to them with any needs as well.”

The relationships they build with students leave a lasting impression.

“Someone was having a hard time and my son said, ‘He needs to spend a month with Mrs. Baker,’” said Laura Mellott, MTSS Coordinator and Title I Interventionist. “He knows she possesses the core values, and those are: be kind, be safe, and be responsible. She embodies that herself and puts that out into our school every day.”

Through both small gestures and significant moments, Ritz and Baker make a difference every day. They help students feel supported, valued, and capable of becoming the best version of themselves.

Watch Wendy and Marley’s recognition video to hear more from their administration.

Know someone making a difference in your district?

The Sourcewell K-12 Excellence Spotlight celebrates the people who uplift their school communities. These individuals strengthen schools and help students succeed in ways that don’t often make headlines but always make an impact.

From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to back offices, you can nominate anyone who helps your school thrive. Nominations are open year-round.

Submit a nomination.

Most students will never know Paul Bourgeois’ name, but they experience his work every single day.

“When students have a great bus ride, walk into a clean building, and have a great meal, all of that was Paul’s work,” said David Law, Superintendent of Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnesota and 2025-26 President of AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

As Executive Director of Finance and Operations for Minnetonka Public Schools, Bourgeois makes a big impact on students. He’s helped shape nearly every part of the school system. His influence can be seen from facilities and transportation to food service and financial planning. Bourgeois' leadership has brought long-term stability to the district. He's worked to support consistent, uninterrupted learning by avoiding budget reductions for years.

“The excellence that Minnetonka is known for just wouldn’t be there without Paul,” Law said.

His efforts go beyond helping create conditions that help students learn and succeed in Minnetonka. He also advocates for policies that support public education at the state level to benefit students across Minnesota.

“He finds ways to ensure every student gets an amazing experience,” said Law. “He listens to ideas, and he is visionary in setting students up for success.”

Yet for all the scope of his work, much of it goes unnoticed.

“He’s a guy who never will take credit,” Law said. “He’s an advocate.”

Bourgeois is known for bringing both expertise and humility to his work, often with a sense of humor along the way. It’s the kind of leadership that stays behind the scenes but shapes the student experience every day.

Watch Paul’s recognition video to hear more from his superintendent.

Know someone making a difference in your district?

The Sourcewell K-12 Excellence Spotlight celebrates the people who uplift their school communities. These individuals strengthen schools and help students succeed in ways that don’t often make headlines but always make an impact.

From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to back offices, you can nominate anyone who helps your school thrive. Nominations are open year-round.

Submit a nomination.