District 88 staff member honored during DuPage ROE Educators of the Year Awards Celebration

On April 30, District 88 IEP Coordinator Rachel Morris (pictured) was honored and recognized during the DuPage Regional Office of Education’s Second Annual Educators of the Year Awards Celebration.

This year’s event took place at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn, and the theme was “Rooted & Rising.”

Morris was nominated by Willowbrook Social Worker Erik Engel for her passion, dedication and positive impact on the students and learning community of District 88.

“What makes (Morris) so extra special at her job is that, like a powerful lawyer, she is willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone getting in the way of student or parent rights,” Engel said. “(Morris) has been key at helping students end up where they needed to be to be educated, earn a diploma and have solid transitional programming for successful postsecondary plans. She is the model of collaboration and works with other staff members to seamlessly assist students and their families with obtaining their special education needs.”

Morris joined District 88 in 2007 as a special education teacher aide at Willowbrook. She then served as a special education teacher and an IEP Coordinator at Willowbrook, before transitioning to the District Office position in 2023.