News Briefs: New Trier teacher earns top honor; Household Hazardous Waste dropoff details; Author to discuss importance of trees

New Trier teacher Katie Kritek was named the 2021 National Dance Educator of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Educators, or SHAPE America, which represents over 200,000 health and physical education professionals across the United States, according to a press release from the high school.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been named the 2021 National Dance Teacher of the Year, and working at New Trier has made this possible.” Kritek said in the release. “This award is a direct reflection of my Dance Division colleagues. I work with some of the best dance educators in the country; they have inspired me and pushed me to continue growing as a teacher and choreographer. I also have some of the most enthusiastic, creative, and hard-working students and am grateful to share the joy of dance with each and every one of them on a daily basis.”

The honor is the finale in a series of competitions featuring fitness and health instructors across the country. The Record previously reported when Kritek won the Midwest title and advanced to the national platform.

The SHAPE America Awards Program honors distinctive contributions to the profession, and awards are presented annually at the National Convention and Expo. Prior to being named National Teacher of the Year, Kritek was named Illinois Teacher of the Year in 2019 and Midwest Teacher of the Year in 2020, per the release.

Kritek has taught dance, a division of the Kinetic Wellness Department, at New Trier since 2004.

Preregistration opens for Household Hazardous Waste dropoff

The Illinois EPA has organized a one-day drop off event for Household Hazardous Waste on June 12 in Glencoe. This event is free to all Illinois residents.

The drop-off will be located at 275 Park Ave., Glencoe, and will run from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. To register, call Megan Olson at (847) 835-4111.

If you can’t make it to the June 12 event, long-term collection locations are available, according to the Village of Wilmette newsletter. For more information, click here.

Virtual program to discuss ‘Trees in America’

From oaks to sugar maples to the American chestnut, trees played a role in our nation’s history. Learn about them and celebrate the trees influential in your personal history and your garden in a virtual presentation on April 28 by naturalist and author Cindy Crosby. 

This program runs from 7-8 p.m. and is cosponsored by the Friends of the Green Bay Trail, Glencoe Public Library and the Glencoe Sustainability Task Force. Registration is required (click here).

Crosby is the author, compiler or contributor to more than 20 books focused on natural history topics.

To submit a News Brief, email newsroom@therecordns.org.