3/27/2025

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) and District 204 proudly honor Melissa Hurd, an ELA and Social Studies teacher at Still Middle School, with the March A+ Award. You can watch the A+ Award video to see the team’s visit to recognize Mrs. Hurd for “Making a Difference in District 204”.

Mrs. Hurd was nominated for the A+ Award by Still Middle School students: Shriya Patel, Amaia Alcorta, Anusha Madana, and Bhavya Pulluri. In their essays, these students emphasized her kindness, her caring attitude, and her creativity in the classroom.

Shriya nominated Mrs. Hurd for this award, citing her willingness to stay after school to help struggling students and her love of literature that makes learning fun. Amaia stated that, “she is polite and respects us students as if we were the most important people in this school.” Anusha stressed Mrs. Hurd’s consistent encouragement for all students to do their best, and Bhavya wrote, “Her dedication, compassion, and unique teaching style make a significant difference in our lives.”

A+ Award sponsor, Western Governors University, is partnering with IPEF and District 204 to help recognize one staff member each month for making a difference for students. To celebrate these outstanding staff members, Western Governors University is generously donating $1,000 to each month’s winner to use in his or her school.

You can nominate a staff member by visiting A+ Award.