Addison Trail staff member named as high school Teacher of the Year by Illinois VFW

Addison Trail is proud to share staff member LeVonne Cescolini-Boyer (pictured above) has been named as the high school Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). She will be recognized during the State Convention, which will take place from June 5 to 8 in Springfield.

Cescolini-Boyer was nominated by the Addison VFW Post 7446 and will now advance to the national level. According to https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/teacher-of-the-year, “Each year, the (VFW) selects elementary, middle and high school teachers to participate in the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher program.” The focus of that program is “to identify and recognize America’s best educators who instill a sense of national pride in students.” For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/5xttfx8w.

“Thanks to Cescolini-Boyer, new life has been breathed into our post and, more importantly, into our veterans,” the Addison VFW Post 7446 said in its nomination letter. “She has transformed our post and is truly the heart of ensuring the stories and heroism of our true patriots are passed on to the next generation of civic leaders.”

Cescolini-Boyer has been a social studies teacher at Addison Trail since 1994, and her passion for civics is apparent from the moment you step inside her classroom. Patriotic posters, photos and even life-size cutouts of legislators fill the room, and Cescolini-Boyer can often be seen proudly donning a hat, T-shirt or scarf with the American flag. Her love for ensuring students understand the importance of the democratic process and civic engagement is evident in all she does.

Cescolini-Boyer leads the Addison Trail Veteran Service Organization (ATVSO), which helps to develop within students a sense of duty, appreciation and community service. The group runs the Flags for Addison project (see details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/16543), assists the Addison VFW Post 7446 with several events, participates in the Ronald McDonald House Pop Tab program, collects food and hygiene items for active members of the military, and helps host Addison Trail’s annual Veterans Day Luncheon. About 45 students are currently part of the ATVSO, which began in 2021.

Cescolini-Boyer also serves as the adviser for Addison Trail’s Youth and Government club, a simulation of the Illinois General Assembly that allows students to immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement, debate issues that affect citizens and propose legislation through taking on the roles of legislators, attorneys, lobbyists and more.

Cescolini-Boyer has even coordinated a student trip to Washington, D.C., with Close Up - Washington, D.C., Educational Programs. Through that experience, pupils were able to visit historic sites and be part of the presidential inauguration.

“I’m beyond humbled to receive this recognition,” Cescolini-Boyer said of being named as the high school Teacher of the Year. “It means a lot to me, because the programs I help provide for our students mean a lot to me. To be honored for my love and passion is just amazing. It’s so important to connect our students with our veterans, so they understand the sacrifices our veterans made to protect our country and our freedom. Through these programs and opportunities, I hope students look at our flag and veterans a little differently.”