Collinsville Educators Receive State, District Awards | The Locally Times
Leah Davis named a 2026 Those Who Excel honoree; Jennifer Cox earns January Kahok Educator of the Month.
Dorris Intermediate School Assistant Principal Leah Davis received a state-level award, and Renfro Elementary educational assistant Jennifer Cox was named a district honoree. The state-level program recognizes outstanding contributions from educators across Illinois. The district’s notice did not specify the particular achievements that led to Davis’s selection by the state board. At the district level, Jennifer Cox, an educational assistant at Renfro Elementary, was recognized as the January 2026 Kahok Educator of the Month. Records show the award was presented to Cox by Renfro Principal Dr. Laura Bauer. The school district’s public statements do not detail the specific criteria or selection process for the monthly honor. ## Board Recognizes Student Vocational Work At its January 26, 2026, meeting, the Collinsville CUSD 10 Board of Education recognized students from the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) for constructing a new pedestrian bridge on the Collinsville High School Campus. The district announcement did not provide details on the project's scope, cost, or timeline. ## State Officials Tour Vocational Center Expansion The district’s vocational programs also drew attention from state legislators. On January 28, 2026, Illinois State Senator Erica Harriss and State Representative Amy Elik toured the Collinsville Area Vocational Center expansion site. A district report states the visit was for the officials to see the progress of the construction firsthand. ## Other District News The district also announced the conclusion of its 2026 5Essentials Survey, a statewide poll for parents, students, and teachers, which closed on March 10. Separately, the district promoted a March 21 trivia night hosted by the Friends of the Collinsville Library to support the local Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program.