Steve Hippleheuser, a teacher at Mokena Elementary School, has been recognized by the American Heart Association for his leadership in organizing the Kids Heart Challenge at the school for 21 years. Jennifer Gunderson, School Engagement Director for the American Heart Association, attended the February Board of Education meeting to highlight Hippleheuser’s contributions.
“For 21 years, Mr. Hippleheuser has poured his time, energy, and passion into the Kids Heart Challenge and in those two decades he has helped to raise an extraordinary $527,000. That is not just a number, that is thousands of lives touched, educated, and most importantly lives saved,” said Gunderson.
Hippleheuser received a certificate marking his impact as he prepares to retire at the end of this school year after teaching in the district for 33 years. Through his work with the Kids Heart Challenge, students have learned about heart health, hands-only CPR, and healthy habits.
At the same meeting, it was announced that Mokena Elementary School raised more funds than any other school in Illinois this year. “These aren’t just fundraising milestones, they are a testament to the culture of generosity and community that has been built here,” Gunderson added.
Principal Rachel Chorley commented on Hippleheuser’s influence: “Mr. H is the driving force behind the success of the Kids Heart Challenge at MES. He is a passionate advocate for heart health, as evidenced by the funds raised by our families and the countless lives impacted during his twenty-one years of leadership.”
Mokena Elementary School is part of Mokena School District 159 in Will County. The district includes Mokena Intermediate School and Mokena Junior High School as well (source). According to state data from 2019-2020, District 159 enrolled 1,531 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade (source). The district employs 97 teachers who earn an average salary of $61,802; about 85 percent are women (source). The student body is predominantly White (85 percent), with smaller percentages identifying as Hispanic (7.7 percent), Black (2.7 percent), or Asian (2.1 percent) (source).
In terms of spending, District 159 allocated $23,197 per student in 2020 for a total expenditure of over $35 million (source). The chronic truancy rate in District 159 was three percent during that period—lower than the statewide average (source).
