Congratulations to the Collinsville High School staff nominated and chosen by their colleagues to be Faculty Member of the Month during the 2023-24 school year:

The September Faculty Member of the Month was nominated by two of her colleagues.  They wrote, “She is one of the most patient people I have ever met.  Her kindness, compassion and sensitivity are on display every single day both inside and outside of her classroom.  She educates some of the most vulnerable students in this school and though it can be a challenge day to day, she does it with an open mind, open heart and with a smile on her face.  She advocates for her students and makes sure that inclusion is just not a fancy educational term to throw around…she makes it happen.”  Congratulations to Ms. Lynn Vermeiren – the September Faculty Member of the Month! 

The October Faculty Member of the Month has called the library of CHS home for a few years now.  Her nominators wrote, “She is usually the first point of contact for anyone entering the library.  She is welcoming and offers help to anyone who walks in the door (staff or student).  She fields a variety of questions/requests each day with a positive attitude and she is willing to see these situations through or direct them to the correct person. She creates displays/bulletin boards that promote character education, display positive messages and create a welcoming environment both in the library and around the building.  She also designs and helps print posters for teachers around the building. She keeps things running smoothly by maintaining the copiers, printer, laminators and troubleshooting computer issues. She has a good balance of maintaining high standards and being an adult that students can feel comfortable confiding in.” For all of these reasons we proudly name Ms. Dianna Altenberger the October Faculty Member of the Month! Congratulations Dianna!

The November Faculty Member of the Month has been very busy over the course of the last two years working on a truly grand project that will better not only CHS, but our community as a whole.  His dedicated and untiring work to bring together business leaders, politicians, community partners, staff and students to help literally build the future has been greatly appreciated and admired.  For his work on making the new AVC center a reality, we proudly present Mr. Joe McGinnis with the November Faculty Member of the Month!  Congratulations!  

The CHS January Faculty Member of the Month has worn many hats while at CHS.  In his current role, he is an amazing manager, organizer, planner and true team player.  His nominators wrote, “Year after year, he puts on the greatest Basketball Tournament in the state, helps produce amazing athletes and scholars, works with countless community members and makes things run as smooth as they possibly can no matter if it is a sporting event, community event or co-curricular activity.  He is a dedicated Kahok that believes in this school, this community and our kids.”  For these reasons, we name Mr. Clay Smith the CHS January Faculty Member of the Month!  Congratulations Coach Smith!  

The March Faculty Member of the Month’s nominee wrote, “She has done a wonderful job building the Criminal Justice program in the CAVC and has dedicated so much time in the creation of activities and curriculum for that program.  She also has worked tirelessly putting together the Criminal Justice Jamboree that so many students and teachers enjoyed on Friday. And her stewardship of the Kahok Closet benefits countless Kahoks each and every day.”  For all of these reasons we name Mrs. Rachel Harlan the March Faculty Member of the Month!  

The April Faculty Member of the Month’s nominee wrote, “I would like to nominate Brian Ryterski to be recognized as the faculty member of the month.  Brian consistently finds ways to be helpful, make things better, or build new things with his students.  I do not know a fraction of the ways he is helping students but I see how excited and proud students are of the projects they finish through his class.  Brian brings in wood that he has cut at his home to reduce the cost of projects to give his students additional opportunities.  He spends a lot of time planning and finding ways to help students build their individual projects, not just simply entire class projects.  Brian is also willing to help the school or teachers at the drop of a pin.  I know he has a group of kids working on the picnic benches outside the vocational offices in the quad.  In the spring, many teachers like to take advantage of beautiful days and take their kids outside to work so it will be very nice to have tables that you do not fear will break or give you splinters.

Our vocational classes are so vital and Brian does such a good job at building relationships with his students and helping them develop important skills that they will use in the future.”

We are proud to name Mr. Brian Ryterski the April Faculty Member of the Month!