Elyse Smith, the kindergarten teacher from Longfellow Elementary School who earned an Award of Excellence in conjunction with the "Those Who Excel" educator recognition program, has been named by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) as a finalist for the 2012-2013 Illinois Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced at the "Those Who Excel" banquet being held on October 20, 2012. The official press release from ISBE regarding this news can be accessed by visiting http://www.isbe.net/news/2012/sept10.htm.