SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Parent Teacher Association announced Waubonsie Valley music teacher and fine arts department chair Mark Duker as it’s Illinois PTA Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.
“We nominated you [Mark] because you open the halls of Waubonsie to a world of fine arts for our students, our staff, and our community to come here and learn to appreciate it and to become better versed in everything that is under your stewardship,” said Waubonsie Valley PTA president Shelby Schultz.
“Mark Duker fills the hallways of Waubonsie Valley with music, theatre and art,” said Schultz. “Simply put, as chairperson of the fine arts department, Mark ensures that the education students receive in school is not solely limited to core subjects. In his role as a teacher, Mark allows every student, who is interested, to become part of a fine arts education.”
Duker has been teaching at Waubonsie Valley since 2013. He has served in Indian Prairie School District 204 since 1999, including Still and Scullen Middle Schools and Neuqua Valley High School. The music’s web site says that Duker began the band programs at both Scullen and Still.
Illinois PTA is an organization that provides resources to PTA leaders, parents and educators throughout the state. Their mission is “to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.”
Waubonsie Valley’s PTA supports students and staff by providing funding for various school programs, including classroom technology and building improvements.
