March 15, 2024 – Collinsville High School second-year social studies teacher Dakota Tostado was named the Illinois Education Association 2024 Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year during the organization’s annual Representative Assembly in Rosemont, Illinois, on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
The Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year recognizes a “new teacher” IEA member who has shown outstanding accomplishments in their involvement in the local, state, and/or national association; in their profession; in promoting public education; and in enhancement of the image of early career educators in the Association, the school or the community.
Tostado was nominated by Kathleen Cervera, IEA Early Career Chairperson, who wrote:
…Dakota is a second year social studies teacher at Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois. As a first year teacher, Dakota became engaged with Association work. He embraces the work that his local, region, and the IEA have been doing to support public education, educators, and students…
Dakota is enthusiastic about the work that is being done at the local, regional, and state levels
of the association. He is also passionate about recruiting other early career educators to attend local and state events. Dakota’s ambition, positivity, enthusiasm, and emerging leadership makes him a qualified candidate for this award. I am excited to see the many things that Dakota will accomplish as he continues to be an active and engaged IEA member.
The Illinois Education Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association, is a union of more than 135,000 members composed of Illinois elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals, retired educators and college students preparing to become teachers. Their mission is to effect excellence and equity in public education and to be THE advocacy organization for all public education employees.