Congratulations to the Joliet Public Schools District 86 teachers who were named 2026 Joliet Area Great Teachers by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Twenty-six educators were recognized at a banquet held at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate on March 9, 2026. Over 150 teachers were nominated by students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or community members for the annual award.
This year’s Joliet Public Schools District 86 winning teachers include (from left to right) Vanessa Barrera, M.J. Cunningham Elementary; A.J. Galli, Pershing Elementary; Clifford Hunt, Hufford Junior High; Amy Johnson, Gompers Junior High; Cynthia Morgan, Lynne Thigpen Elementary; and Julie Savaglio from Gompers Junior High School.
Vanessa Barrera has spent over 25 years in education, including the last eight years at M.J. Cunningham Elementary School. She currently serves as a bilingual kindergarten teacher. A.J. Galli student taught at Cunningham and has spent the last 10 years at Pershing Elementary School, where he currently teaches fourth grade.
For the last 25 years, Clifford Hunt has served as the Director of the Hufford Junior High Quadrant Orchestras, sharing his love of music with students at Cunningham Elementary, Farragut Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Forest Park Individual Education School, Pershing Elementary, Carl Sandburg Elementary, and Hufford Junior High School.
Amy Johnson and Julie Savaglio are both teachers at Gompers Junior High School. Amy is an eighth-grade social studies teacher and has worked in Joliet Public Schools District 86 for the past 14 years. Julie serves as a health teacher and has been in education for more than 17 years.
Cynthia Morgan, currently a fourth-grade teacher at Lynne Thigpen Elementary School, has nurtured and motivated students for more than 28 years.
“Thank you to the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce for recognizing so many amazing teachers in the area, including our own great teachers,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “I am proud and grateful to have so many wonderful teachers supporting our students and families across the district.”