CDT(Photo provided)Pictured are (from left) Amanda Christensen, DeKalb County Regional Superintendent; Yvonne Johnson, philanthropist; Jonathan Liechty, award recipient; Shelly Tripp, award recipient; Kendra Brauer, award recipient; Barb Evenson, award recipient; Ryan Janisch, award recipient; Dan Templin, DeKalb County Community Foundation executive director.

The DeKalb County Excellence in Education Awards recently were presented at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center. This is the 17th year of this annual award to recognize five DeKalb County school employees, one in each of five categories: Teacher Grades PreK-5, Teacher Grades 6-8, Teacher Grades 9-12, Administrator and Support Staff.

Yvonne Johnson, retired elementary school teacher in the Sycamore School District, has established an endowed fund with the DeKalb County Community Foundation to make these awards possible.

Regional Superintendent Amanda Christensen said, “I’m delighted Yvonne Johnson has created this program to reward excellence in our profession.