Holmes Elementary School multilingual teacher Jennifer Jaros has been named the recipient of the 2024 Staszak Outstanding Educator of the Year Award by the Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF). Each year, OPEF honors a distinguished educator from District 97, celebrating their exceptional contributions to our educational community.
Jaros was chosen for her work as a beloved teacher, advocate for multilingual students and dedication to meeting the needs of new migrant families to Holmes.
“We are so excited to celebrate the work of Jenn Jaros and her passion for education, multilingual students and inclusiveness,” said OPEF Executive Director Latonia Baker. "She is a trailblazer and we are so fortunate to have her in D97."
In addition to winning the 2024 Staszak Award, Jaros and Brooks teacher Angelica Degante were recently honored by the Illinois Education Association as co-recipients of the 2024 Reg Weaver Humanitarian and Civil Rights Award for their work to support asylum seekers from Venezuela. In summer 2023, Ms. Jaros was a Fund for Teachers Fellow, and traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico for an immersion language and cultural program
Jaros will be honored during OPEF’s Bingo Bash fundraiser on May 10 at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. The event supports OPEF programs in District 97 schools, such as Spoken Word, Vex Robotics, Art Start, and STEAM Exploration, as well as scholarships for summer BASE Camps. This year OPEF has received a record number of applications from families in need for BASE Camp scholarships.
More information on OPEF can be found at www.opef.org, and Bingo Bash tickets can be purchased at https://opefbingobash2024.ticketleap.com/bingo-bash-2024.