Highland teacher honored by Illinois Education Association

Highland fifth-grade teacher ShiAnne Shively was recently honored as an Outstanding Teacher by the Illinois Education Association (IEA). The recognition took place on May 7 at the IEA Region 5 Awards Banquet at the N.O. Nelson Center in Edwardsville.

One hundred area education officials, educators and school employees attended the event.

Dr. James Rosberg, director of the master’s in education program at McKendree University, served as the guest speaker. His remarks focused upon the history of education, teachers as heroes, and the necessity of collaboration between parents, school employees and administrators.

A central theme in Rosber’s remarks was based upon a Biblical quote by St. Paul, “Do not muzzle the ox that treads your grain.”

Dr. Rosberg said it is easy to criticize teachers, but that is a big mistake.

“Never forget the success of a child is based upon teachers and parents working together, finding the strength and encouraging the student to develop to his full potential,” he said.

Shively has taught for the Highland School District for 19 years. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Greenville College. She was nominated for the IEA Outstanding Teacher award by Highland High School teacher Michelle Deets, past president of the Highland Education Association.

Deets said that Shively collaborates with other teachers to develop methods and strategies to challenge students.

“She communicates regularly with parents to keep them up to date on their children’s progress. Her classroom is a place where students and staff feel welcome. She is a strong education advocate and has been a spokesperson for maintaining state special education class size rules. She is constantly working to be a better teacher, union representative, wife, and mother,” Deets said.

Shively has served on important school district committees, along with being an active member of her church. As political action chair for IEA Region 5, she led the successful primary campaign to elect Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Ok??) and spent the past summer working for the successful election Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

Shively has led teacher delegations to Springfield on IEA Lobby Days. She has been elected as Highland EA vice president and president.

She has been a member of several negotiation teams and has served as chief negotiator.

“Last fall, as HEA president she galvanized Highland teachers and rallied the Highland community to achieve a fair contract settlement,” a press release from the IEA said.

She has served as a delegate to the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly and the National Educational Association Representative Assembly.

In a region-wide election are teachers elected Shively Region 5 chair. Her term begins in August .

School employees receiving the prestigious IEA award are nominated by their peers on the basis of their school, community, and union activity. In addition to Shively, awards this year were also presented to Keith Crask (Central Community EA), Lisa Robbins (Vandalia Unit Teachers Association), Dan Delong, Janet Saxton and Teresa Toner (Southwestern EA), Cindy Kline, Laura DiCristofano and Lisa Port (Triad EA), and Carla Dineen (Triad ESPA).

IEA Region Chair Peg McGinness introduced IEA Region 5 Future Teacher Scholarship winner Madison Click, who was present at the banquet. She is the daughter of Dawn Click, a teacher in the St. Elmo School District.

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 11:58 AM with the headline "Highland teacher honored by Illinois Education Association."