East Chicago’s Teacher of the Year Award goes to Dave Tokarz

EAST CHICAGO | Congratulations to Mr. David Tokarz for earning East Chicago's "Teacher of the Year" award from the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 11, 2012. The annual dinner event, Hearts of the Lakeshore, honors local business leaders and civil service honorees in Hammond and East Chicago. Nearly 600 people attended this year's event held at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.

"It is a great honor to receive this award," said Mr. Tokarz. "It validates the effort it takes to educate our youth, and shows that hard work and passion is seen and respected by others." When asked about his best teaching experience, he replied, "It happens every day. I get to work with students every day to help them achieve their dreams."

Mr. Tokarz has been a teacher at E.C. Central High School for the past 17 years and is living his dream. "I knew I wanted to be a teacher back when I was in high school. I've always been interested in history and government and becoming a teacher was the right fit," he said. Mr. Tokarz earned a Bachelor's degree from Purdue University Calumet and a Master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan. He is currently earning an administrators license, and hopes to utilize his teaching experience to help teachers one day.