OREGON, Ill. (WTVO) —A statewide fellowship has given an Oregon elementary teacher the chance to advocate for early education across the state.

“I knew I wanted to teach kindergarten. I bring in these little five-year-olds that can barely stand in a line, and by the end of the year, they are reading and doing math facts,” said Cynthia Kilmer.

Kilmer has taught at Oregon Elementary School for the last eight years. In April, she applied for a state-level leadership following in the summer. By fall, she started her Teach Plus Illinois Early Educator Policy Fellowship, a program that allows teachers working to improve Illinois education.

“I didn’t realize until it’s all typed out, I didn’t realize how much I’ve done over the years. I was really excited that I got chosen for this year becaus

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