In a district of over 2,000 educators, first-year teacher Gabriel Vicencio ’24 has achieved something extraordinary – though to those who know his passion for teaching, it’s hardly surprising. Gabriel, who teaches fifth grade at Clow Elementary in Naperville, Illinois, was named the December recipient of the A+ Educator Award for Indian Prairie School District 204, the fourth largest school district in the state.
The award comes with a $1,000 check to enhance the classroom experience. But it’s not just the money that makes this honor special. It’s the recognition—from students, families, and district leaders—that Gabriel is making a difference. Superintendent Adrian Talley, who presented the award, noted, “Gabriel is our first-ever first-year teacher to win the A+ Educator Award. His impact in such a short time is remarkable.”
Gabriel’s journey to teaching started in Warren, Michigan, where he grew up hearing about Olivet from his mother, an Olivet nursing alumna. “She always spoke so highly of the university,” Gabriel said. “When it was time for me to choose a college, Olivet just felt like home.” While at Olivet, Gabriel initially pursued nursing before finding his true passion in elementary education. He played on the tennis team, built lasting friendships, and learned lessons that now shape his teaching style.
“My student teaching placement in Coal City taught me the most,” Gabriel explained. “It got me in the classroom with students, actually planning lessons and executing them. That’s where I learned the most about being a teacher.”
According to Gabriel, it’s easy to connect his current performance as a teacher to the valuable lessons he learned from Olivet’s School of Education faculty. “One of the professors who impacted me the most was Dr. Kristen Mathews,” Gabriel shared. “She taught me how to make every student feel valued and included. That’s something I carry into my classroom every day, and I think it’s a big reason why I received this award.”
The impact of that lesson was clear in the nomination essay written by Gabriel’s student, Shane Christie. “Mr. V is an awesome teacher who goes above and beyond,” Shane wrote. “He challenges us to think about what we’re grateful for and to tell our parents about our day. He makes every one of us feel special.”
Dr. Lance Kilpatrick ‘02, associate dean of the School of Education, added “We are incredibly proud of Gabe and love to see him living his calling! To see the impact he’s already making as an educator speaks volumes about his dedication, passion and the values he brings to the classroom. His growth since his time at Olivet is a testament to his hard work and the kind of teacher he is becoming. We are truly honored to have played a role in his journey, and can’t wait to see the great things he will continue to accomplish in his career.”
For more information on Olivet Nazarene University’s School of Education visit https://www.olivet.edu/academics/colleges/school-education/
*Photo credit – The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation
