Chicago Bears honor Leyden high school special ed teacher

A day after the Chicago Bears celebrated their own decisive win against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field Sunday, team leaders honored a Leyden High School District 212 special education teacher for his academic victories.

On Monday, the Chicago Bears recognized Kevin Mitchell, a SD212 special education teacher/vocational coordinator, as a “Chicago Bears Classroom Legend,” with team representatives at West Leyden High School, in Northlake, where he teaches, to tell him of the honor in person and present him with some team swag — and a check, district officials announced in a news release.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey and former Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton surprised Mitchell in his classroom, and gave him a custom football and jersey, tickets to an upcoming game and a check for $1,000.

The school district is made up of two schools, including East Leyden High School in Franklin Park.

Mitchell works with students age 18-22 in the district’s transition program, which helps build independence for post-secondary real-world living, the release states.

”Kevin Mitchell is a winner in the field of education,” said Bears Community Engagement Strategist Emily Rooney. “Not because he accomplishes every goal he sets for himself, but because at the end of the day, he gives his best effort. Kevin embodies what it means to work hard, try your best and be a leader on a team.”

The release explains that Mitchell is a Bears “super fan” and was nominated for this honor by his wife, Danielle Mitchell. She was at the school Monday for the presentation.

”I’m so grateful and I am so honored,” Kevin Mitchell said during the presentation, the release indicates. “It’s not just me, there are so many people, it’s a team effort and I just want to thank you all.”

Mitchell told Pioneer Press in a statement he plans to use the cash to continue to build a micro-business, hoping to create some crafts to sell to the school community.  The move would give students work experience and an opportunity “to feel good about what they create!”

“We are beyond excited for Kevin and the work he has done here at Leyden.  He is passionate about working with our students and finds creative ways to help them become employable post high school.  A true testament to his work is evident in the way our students interact with him.  They just love that guy!” West Leyden High School Principal Arturo Senteno said in a statement to Pioneer Press.