INCS Surprises 2025 Charter Excellence Award Winners

Last month, the Illinois Network of Charter Schools surprised 14 finalists and winners of our Charter Excellence Awards. These joyful surprise visits helped schools to celebrate the champions in their classrooms who make the charter community a home for so many. Check out the following feature from FOX 32 Chicago‘s visit to Southland College Prep, where our team surprised Charter High School Teacher of the Year winner Ron Harrigan.

Since 2011, INCS has recognized exceptional principals, teachers, students, and advocates statewide with the Charter Excellence Awards. These awards honor and recognize outstanding achievement and the exceptional contributions the honoree has made to their schools, communities, and students.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners! We look forward to celebrating with our schools at the annual Charter Excellence Awards ceremony.

Principal of the Year

• Michelle Trojan — Intrinsic Belmont Campus

Elementary School Teacher of the Year

• Reginald Lee — Perspectives Middle Academy
• Runner Up: Tiffany Ware — Catalyst Maria

High School Teacher of the Year

• Ron Harrigan — Southland College Prep
• Runner Up: Sirrah Joof — UCW (University of Chicago – Woodlawn)

Outstanding Eighth Graders

• Siloe Herrera — LEARN 10 North Chicago
• Micah Vignocchi-Agunu — Cambridge Lakes

Outstanding Seniors

• Gracie Griggs — HSA McKinley
• Jessica Rule — Legal Prep
• Akila Smith — Perspectives IIT
• Jaxson Biurquis — Instituto

Parent Advocates of the Year

• Brittany Muñoz — Cambridge Lakes
• Ruth Thomas — CICS Wrightwood
• MarrLa Slaughter McBee — Chicago Bulls College Prep (Noble)