Lilian Dubon, the Dean of Faculty for Pace High School, was selected for the University of Chicago’s prestigious Outstanding Educator Award. The award, which has existed for over 30 years, highlights educators who have made a tremendous positive impact in their students’ lives and led them towards the path of education, both inside and outside the classroom.
Winners of the award are chosen from nominees submitted by first-year University of Chicago students. Freshmen write letters about an educator who has changed their lives and helped them grow academically and personally.
Dubon was nominated for the award by Daniel Labrousse, a Class of 2016 Pace alumni who was a star student at Pace and now attends the University of Chicago after receiving the full tuition four-year QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship.
“When I received the opportunity to honor one of my educators,” said Labrousse, “I chose Mrs. Dubon because I acknowledged that many of the things I was able to accomplish were because of her.”
Before becoming Dean of Faculty this school year, Dubon was the college advisor for Pace, helping students with their college and scholarship applications and ensuring they were prepared for higher education. She also worked as a guidance counselor for students, listening to their problems and helping them with both academic and personal issues.
“You could talk to her about anything relating to school, colleges, and even personal things and she would find the answer,” said Labrousse. “I knew she cared about me; in fact, I knew she cared about all the students. She wanted to make sure we all succeeded.