December 21, 2023 – Kreitner Elementary teacher Rachel Whitener was recognized today as December 2023 Kahok Educator of the Month. The award was presented by Kreitner Principal Dr. Kari Daugherty and local Benjamin F. Edwards financial advisor Jason Rehg.
In her nomination of Mrs. Whitener, Principal Dr. Daugherty wrote:
I’m excited and honored to recognize Mrs. Rachel Whitener as Kreitner’s Kahok Educator of the Month award recipient for December. Rachel is an enthusiastic, dedicated educator who builds strong relationships with her students, sets high learning and behavioral expectations, and models a learning mindset in her classroom as well as throughout the school community.
Mrs. Whitener develops creative, engaging lessons that draw her students in and help them develop solid grade-level skills and grasp difficult concepts. I recently observed a lesson wherein her students took turns being the teacher for 3-digit division. Her consistency and effectiveness with her students shone through as these students guided their classmates through the steps AND even provided prompts and positive reinforcement to their classmates. Clearly, her students were demonstrating what Mrs. Whitener models for them each day. Her students mirror into the amazing work she does every day.
Benjamin F. Edwards Financial Advisor and Vice President/Investments Jason Rehg sponsors the award each month during the school year to recognize outstanding educators in Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.