Stephanie Suerth

Stephanie Suerth, known to students as "Madame!," is excited to support our Brooks Eagle and Julian Jayhawk staff as one of the district's Equity & Professional Learning Coordinators. She enjoyed teaching the French language for the past 12 years. She believes anyone can learn to speak, read, write and comprehend French. She is ready for the challenge of mentoring newly hired educators and supporting professional learning for all D97. She holds roles in the Oak Park Teachers Association, the Illinois Education Association, and the National Education Association. In her spare time, what little there is, she watches movies with her husband, snuggles with her cats, Charlie & Bo, plays with her dog, Bernie, and fosters dogs for Wish Upon A Rescue in honor of her late dog, Max.

Education:

2017  National Louis University (Chicago, IL) - M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

2016  National Louis University (Chicago, IL) - Endorsement in English as a Second Language

2009   Augustana College   (Rock Island, IL) - B.A. in French and Secondary Education & Minor in History

2008   Université de Bourgogne   (Dijon, France) - Diplome avec mention bien

Accolades:

2023 ISBE Those Who Excel - Meritorious Service

2020 IEA SCORE Grant Recipient (Illinois Education Association)

2020 Nominee for Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (Golden Apple)

2019 James A. Gates Teacher Scholarship Award Recipient (local) (OPRF Community Foundation)

2018 Quixote Award (local) (D97 World Language Advisory Committee) 

2017 IEA's Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year (statewide) (Illinois Education Association) (NLU)

Experience:

2024-Present   Oak Park ESD 97 (Oak Park, IL) - Equity & Professional Learning Coordinator

2017-2024   Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School (Oak Park, IL) - French Teacher & WL Dept. Co-Chair

2017-2018   Percy Julian Middle School (Oak Park, IL) - French Teacher

2012-2017   Thornridge High School   (Dolton, IL) - French Teacher

2013-2014   Thornton Township High School (Harvey, IL) - French Teacher 

2010-2012   Oak Forest High School (Oak Forest, IL) - ELL Program Aide

2009-2010   Bremen High School (Midlothian, IL) - French Teacher

2008-2009   Sudlow Intermediate School (Davenport, IA) - Student Teacher (French)

2008-2009   Davenport Central High School (Davenport, IA) - Student Teacher (French)

2007   Scott County Juvenile Detention Center (Davenport, IA) - Student Teacher (Gen. Ed.)