Across generations of students, certain teachers leave a lasting impact far beyond the classroom walls. Whether through encouragement, kindness, inspiration, or simply making learning fun, these educators helped shape lives in meaningful ways. We asked members of the Crete-Monee Alumni community to share memories of the teachers who made a difference — and their stories are a powerful reminder of the lasting influence a great teacher can have.  Read on for a handful of the teacher shout-outs that were shared on our social media post- and if you missed the post, you can leave your own shout-out in the comments here!  Mr. Lagger – Saw us stress the importance of math in real life and kept all our pictures up over the years; wasn't even my teacher, he was my basketball coach in middle school and taught my brothers. Still top 3; Not only was he my math teacher, but he taught me everything about Greek mythology and introduced us to genealogy and heritage through his own family and pictures and videos. I still remember watching the video of his grandparents in class. Such a great teacher; he’s the only teacher to remember me, and all of my siblings, and not even teach me himself. Jose Salinas - Were not just great teachers but mentors as well. They had a way of sprinkling in wisdom for life in class. Things that have stuck with me, till this day; best to ever do it! Monumental on my path to becoming an educator. Andrew Gladstone - Were not just great teachers but mentors as well. They had a way of sprinkling in wisdom for life in class. Things that have stuck with me, till this day. I never had Mr. Gladstone as a teacher but we had talks and he was always a comfort to talk to; my all-time favorite teachers. It was clear how much they genuinely loved the subjects they taught because of the excitement and passion they brought to the classroom. Their enthusiasm made learning engaging and memorable, which made their classes my favorite ones to attend. Mort Castle - They just don’t make educators like those 3 anymore. Jane Castle - They just don’t make educators like those 3 anymore. Joe Crawford - They just don’t make educators like those 3 anymore. Ms. Agler - So Freshman year on January 6 1972 right before we came back from Christmas break i was in a snowmobile accident. I ended up in a body cast from my chest down. Not a single teacher would come to the house to tutor me except 1. Because of that my Freshman Spanish teacher Ms Agler was always my favorite. Mrs. Holloway - Gary Casper - English department in the late 60’s and early 70’s was life changing! Mort Castle - English department in the late 60’s and early 70’s was life changing! G.E. Smith - Mr. Walery - Mr. Hayhurst - LOVED his classes, I love history! Mr. Runnion - was my favorite teacher! my favorite! Mr. Browning - Ms. Felicia Randle - It’s the ones who cared for you beyond the classroom that made the life long impact. Ms. Judi Pappas - It’s the ones who cared for you beyond the classroom that made the life long impact; Monumental on my path to becoming an educator.Ms. Michelle Koppitz Lencioni - It’s the ones who cared for you beyond the classroom that made the life long impact. Mr. Jeff Clark - It’s the ones who cared for you beyond the classroom that made the life long impact. Coach Wartman was an amazing coach who taught us the game well. Mrs. Endicott - I loved Mrs. Endicott like a granny; my all-time favorite teachers. It was clear how much they genuinely loved the subjects they taught because of the excitement and passion they brought to the classroom. Their enthusiasm made learning engaging and memorable, which made their classes my favorite ones to attend. Julie Furgason - The best of the best! Joanna Boss - The best of the best! Bob Mohr - The best of the best! Mr. Bone - he may have been tough but he was a good teacher Mr. Campbell - he was the best! Art Manwaring - Great guy, was my neighbor my whole childhood and he was the absolute BEST! Robert Foster - Shop Classes Neale Miller - Harry Ehlert - coach Hubbard Trail Bob Slider - Band Mr. Saviano - Mrs. Saviano - Willie Rush - Nikki Nickelman - best teachers!! John Cullnan - best teacher! Ms.Thomas - from 2nd grade Sandy Clark - Monumental on my path to becoming an educator. Mike Dugan - Monumental on my path to becoming an educator. John L. Hayhurst - Monumental on my path to becoming an educator. Mr. Amaro - LOVED his classes Cindy Marie - Without any doubt Mr. Tedeschi - Without any doubt Wanda Williams - Sharron Flessner - (Balmoral) Kelly Rodgers - (CMHS) all had a HUGE impact on me. Mr. Borodine - I am blessed to teach preschool at the ELC (the Hubbard Trail Jr. High building) in his old room. I came full circle! Thank you to all CM teachers! Ms. Hurley - she was awesome teacher Becky Johnson - part of the reason why Rachel Doyle became a teacher myself  Deana Wojtkiewicz - absolutely the best I had Mike Dugan - John Neubauer - my favorite! Mrs. Guyer - Sandy Clark - best to ever do it! Mr. Moore - Mr. Surlak - Mrs. Eanes - was my favorite teacher! Mrs. Edward - was my favorite teacher! Ms. Bradley - was my favorite teacher! Mr. Rockrohr - was my favorite teacher! Mr. Browning - CAD teacher changed a lot of kids paths in life! Sterling Culp - was an interesting man. Very classy   Mrs. Juraska - Crete-Monee High School from grade 9-11 Miss Petak - Crete-Monee High School from grade 9-11. Jeff Noble - W-A-R-R-I-O-R-S Kara Elizabeth - Amy Coria - Paul Woodson - Janet Olsen Gatto - John Wild - And, lest I forget Art teacher John Wild. I can still see and smell the chalk eraser dust to this day……. He was all bark and no bite but in the end a great art teacher! Mr. Carrerro - Mrs. Johnson - Mr. Cline - Mrs. Bielfeldt - Mr. Hopkins - Mr. DeGroot - MATH-1962 Coach G - Jimmy Shrine - Mike Dugan - Karen Bradley - Tim Griffiths -  Retired after 42 years, great memories, He lives in Texas now Ms. Lau - Mrs. Delsener - She was my 5th grade teacher as well. She was very intelligent and I remember having great conversations and debates in her class. She was also my coworker when I began my teaching career; I had Mrs Delsener in 5th grade! Other comments - Just good times in 201-U from Balmoral to CMHS. I loved all of those years! A lot of wonderful people mentioned! Many were former teachers of mine that became colleagues!

Alumnus Jermall Harvey, CMHS Class of 2001, was featured on NBC Chicago for Black History Month, highlighting the importance of credit education for young athletes navigating today’s NIL landscape. Through Credit Geeks, Jermall is dedicated to helping African-American athletes protect their financial futures and manage their Name, Image, and Likeness earnings wisely. Inspired by his family’s personal experience — including lessons learned when his brother was a first-round draft pick for the Dallas Cowboys — Jermall is passionate about ensuring young athletes have the tools and knowledge needed to build and sustain generational wealth. His mission: empower the next generation to secure their future and create lasting financial impact. Watch the feature on NBC Chicago News