Jeannette Sinickas is the MCC’s 2025 Teacher of the Year
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Teachers of young children spend so much time engaged in rote learning, they often don’t stand out in the public mind, much less win awards.
And then there’s Jeannette Sinickas, the Midway Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
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| Jeannette Sinickas |
“Mrs. S is an extraordinary teacher, an extraordinary person,” says Peter Ferreri, who nominated her for the award. “What she does with her kids and for her kids is amazing.”
Ferreri’s daughter, Gioia, is a student in Mrs. Sinickas’ second-grade class at St. Albert the Great School in Burbank.
“She’s an intelligent girl—thanks to her mother—and Mrs. S recognized that,” Ferreri says. “And it would have been easy to let it go at that.
“But she’s really harnessed Gioia’s intelligence. So, she called a meeting with Gioia’s first grade teacher, as well as a prospective third grade teacher. They talked about how my daughter has advanced and what they can do to propel her forward successfully into third grade and beyond.”
“Mrs. S told me, ‘I want her to build confidence, establish friendships and make her into a leader.’ Really, who says that about a seven-year-old?”
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| Mrs. Sinickas and her second graders. |
He also praises her for promoting a sense of teamwork among the school’s second graders.
“She makes each child feel valued and included. She makes sure each child gets a task—even if it’s something as small yet significant as making sure other students get a smile when they’re sad or a ‘God bless you’ when they sneeze. The kids really seem to respond to that, knowing they have a special job, a responsibility to the others.”
In that way and more, Mrs. Sinickas gives her students a strong sense of Gospel values, Ferreri continues. That’s doubly important in second grade, as Catholic children prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion for the first time.
A Southwest Side native
Mrs. Sinickas was born and raised in the Wrightwood neighborhood, graduating from St. Thomas More School in 1980 before heading off to Mother McAuley High School. She later attended Eastern Illinois University, where she majored in Early Education and Community Health.
Among other places, she worked at non-profits helping and advocating for people with developmental disabilities.
“I was one of those people who, 35 years ago, knocked on doors to get people who had been institutionalized a job at Jewel or Dominick’s.”
“I’ve always enjoyed helping people,” she explains. “I love being a mom. I love being a teacher.”
She and her husband of 33 years, Robert, raised their three sons (David, Thomas and Michael) in Oak Lawn. All three are grown, college graduates with careers of their own.
Her job at St. Albert the Great, which she has held for four years, is her “second act in life,” she says, adding that teaching is its own reward. Plaudits from elsewhere are an unexpected bonus.
“I was very humbled when I found out I was nominated [for the Midway Chamber’s award], and then speechless when I found out I won (among six teachers nominated as finalists). I was really taken aback.”
She says as a teacher, “you always hope you make an impact on your students’ lives, and you want the parents to feel good about what you’ve done.
“The academics are important, of course. But I also want my kids to know how important they are, that they are truly valued, that they’re great and I’m happy they’re all there.
“You don’t know exactly what each child is going through at home, so it may be doubly important for a particular child to hear an adult say, ‘You’re valued. You’re important. I’m happy you’re here.’ That can make a big impact.”
Teaching at St. Albert the Great “is truly the best job I’ve ever had,” Mrs. Sinickas adds. “The students are amazing. The parents are supportive. Staff are great to work with. Years ago, when I was working to make money to help raise a family, I didn’t always like my job. But this? I have no problem waking up in the morning and going to work.
“When you teach children, you’re around young life. It keeps you current, it challenges you. I love being around children.”
Looking back on her life, she likens herself to a lottery jackpot winner.
“I wouldn’t change anything about my life,” she concludes. “I’ve loved it all. I’d give anything to go back and live my life all over again. It’s been wonderful. And it all goes by in the blink of an eye.”
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| MCC leaders congratulate Mrs. Sinickas. |
She accepted the 2025 Teacher of the Year Award earlier this month at the Midway Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner-dance.
“Our members understand and appreciate the value of teachers, police officers and firefighter/paramedics to the life of our community,” MCC President Mary Ellen Brown says. “By all accounts, Jeannette Sinickas is a worthy recipient of our award. We salute her and wish her continued success.”
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