It’s been four years since Adriana Nuzzo graduated from Mundelein High School. But it hasn’t been so long that she’s forgotten the impact of her former MHS Social Studies Teacher Susan Theotokatos.
Nuzzo, about to embark on a teaching career of her own, wrote the nomination letter that landed Theotokatos a 2026 Wolfe Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Kansas. In recognition of her shared commitment to excellence in education, Theotokatos will be given a $3,000 cash award and MHS will receive a $1,000 award.
Nuzzo, a 2026 graduate of the University of Kansas, will begin her own teaching career later this summer and credits “Mrs. Theo” as her inspiration.
“She inspired me to become a teacher by showing me what it truly means to make a difference in students’ lives,” Nuzzo wrote. “She embodies everything an outstanding educator should be. The impact she has had on my life is something I will carry with me throughout my own teaching career."
Theotokatos, who teaches AP Human Geography, AP U.S. History and Sociology, was chosen from an exceptionally talented and competitive pool of nominees, said KU Field Experience Coordinator Jill McKay. Each year, KU graduating seniors are invited to honor a high school teacher who made a meaningful difference in their academic journey.
“This recognition places you among the very best educators, those whose influence extends far beyond the classroom and leaves a lasting impact on students’ lives,” McKay said in a congratulatory letter to Theotokatos.
The Wolfe Teaching Excellence Award was created in 2006 with a $250,000 gift from alumni R. Dean Wolfe and Cheryl L. Wolfe through the Wolfe Family Foundation. The award fund is managed by KU Endowment. Nuzzo heard about the award while working for the Department of Education at KU and immediately knew who deserved the honor.
"She is an amazing role model who changed the direction of my life,” Nuzzo wrote. “Her ability to create a positive learning environment, build strong relationships and inspire future educators sets her apart.”
Nuzzo will begin her own teaching career later this summer as a first-grade teacher at Roesland Elementary School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.
“I hope to one day create the same kind of positive and lasting impact on my own students that she has had on me," Nuzzo said.