Dr. Joe Mullikin awarded ‘Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year’ Award of Excellence in the admin category.

MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO Tempo
Congratulations to Dr. Joe Mullikin on receiving the Award of Excellence in the Admin category. Dr. Mullikin is currently the principal of Highland Elementary in the Meridian 223 School District.

ISBE has announced its 2023 Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year Awardees and would like to extend their sincere

Congratulations to Dr. Joe Mullikin on receiving the Award of Excellence in the Admin category. Dr. Mullikin is currently the principal of Highland Elementary in the Meridian 223 School District. Dr. Mullikin responded, “I am incredibly honored to have been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. Receiving an Award of Excellence is a high honor and I am proud to be a Cardinal and look forward to continuing to support our district in its path toward meeting our vision and mission.”

Dr. Mullikin started his teaching career in the Meridian 223 School District as a student teacher. He returned to teach 4 years as a science teacher at Stillman Valley High School. He began as principal of Highland for the 2017-2018 school year. He has been selected as the next Superintendent of Meridian 223 School District and has begun working in the position of principal and assisstant superintendent before transitioning into the MCUSD 223 Superintendent in the summer of 2024. Current Meridian 223 Superintendent, Dr. PJ Caposey, stated, “Dr. Mullikin is an incredible asset to our school community. A distinction such as this validates his work, but only confirms what we have known in Meridian for a long time. Dr. Mullikin is an absolutely excellent educator who does his very best to serve kids every single day.”

ISBE received a record number of nominations and applications for the 2023 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. A committee of administrators, teachers, educational service personnel, student support personnel, and past Illinois Teachers of the Year selected this year’s awardees. ISBE’s annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate incredible classroom teachers, administrators, teams, volunteers, and school support personnel who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities.

Since 1970, the Illinois State Board of Education has sponsored the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year program to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state’s public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams. Application materials are evaluated by a selection committee composed of individuals who represent a variety of educational organizations. All awardees are honored at an annual banquet in the Spring.