Inside The Inspiring Story Of High Road School of Belvidere’s Unsung Hero

Discover why High Road School's Saundra Hill is celebrated as the 97ZOK Teacher of the Week. Learn how her exceptional care and support create safe spaces for academically challenged students.

97ZOK Teacher of the Week

Congratulations Saundra Hill from High Road School of Belvidere in Garden Prairie, Illinois.

Rachel Lenick nominated Saundra, she writes,

Where do I even begin…..I have worked in so many schools in my career with many different people and no one even compares to Saundra. She is one of the most hardworking and dedicated humans I’ve ever met. She is one of the most respected teachers here and there’s a reason for it. The main reason? She’s not just here for a paycheck. Her heart is in this job and she genuinely cares about our students both in school and out of school. We work at a therapeutic day school and take in students that the districts cannot support academically or behaviorally. Our jobs are very challenging. Our students come from all different backgrounds and a lot of them don’t have the best home life. Saundra makes it a point to make her classroom and this entire school a safe place for our students. They always know they can come to her for ANYTHING and they will be 100% supported. She always holds them accountable, but they secretly appreciate that, even though they may give some pushback at first. Saundra NEVER misses a day of work. Ever. Never ever. She once told me that the first thing her students do in the morning when they pull up on the bus is look for her vehicle to make sure she’s there. She truly is their rock. We work with a lot of highly behavioral students which can be very challenging. But no matter what is said or done to Saundra, she continues to show up for them every day, and that is why they feel safe and supported by her. She is constantly advocating for them. Her consistency is unmatched. She truly is the gem of our school. Saundra also is the head of our CAAEL program here at High Roads. CAAEL is a sports league for alternative education students. She goes above and beyond for this program and it gives the kids something to look forward to and it gives our students a sense of “normalcy” to be able to participate in a sports program even though they aren’t in a public school. Saundra is also the person who trains all of our incoming staff. There’s no one better for the job. If you train with Saundra, you are set up for success.

I hope Saundra’s hard work and dedication can be recognized. There’s no one more deserving and I’m so lucky I get to work alongside someone as passionate and dedicated as Saundra. I know I speak for everyone here when I say she deserves this title! Plus I think it would be cool for someone from an alternative education school to be recognized for the work we do, because it is NOT easy.

Again, thank you for considering her and I truly hope we will hear from you soon!! I hope you get the opportunity to meet Saundra and her amazing students, who would get a KICK out of the radio station showing up to our school!

Design by Steve Shannon

As Teacher of the Week, Saundra was surprised with a cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and money to spend at WM Day Spa Salon.

You can nominate your favorite teacher HERE. Click HERE to see past Teachers of the Week.