In eighth grade, students read and understand a wide variety of informational texts.

PLAINFIELD, IL — An eighth-grade language arts teacher at John F. Kennedy Middle School has been named the 2025 Illinois State Board of Education Far South Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year.

Three eighth-grade language-arts classes received a total of 75 paperback copies of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by renowned author Maya Angelou.

Here's how you can help your eighth-grader master reading and writing outside of the classroom.