Celebrating The People Behind The Curtain: After-School Coordinator Appreciation Night Recap
At Nexplore, our mission is to foster the “Joy of Learning”. We know that this mission would be impossible without the dedicated educators who bridge the gap between school and home. Recent statistics indicate that over 1.1 million parents in Illinois are currently seeking after-school programming they cannot access, highlighting the critical importance of the work performed by Out-of-School Time (OST) departments across the state.
To celebrate these unsung heroes, Nexplore hosted our Site Coordinator Appreciation Night on Monday, May 18th, at Flight Club Chicago.
An Evening of Connection and Joy
The event brought together approximately 60 site coordinators, along with their friends, families, and colleagues. Attendees traveled from as far as South Chicago, Des Plaines, and LaGrange to celebrate the community we have built together.
Public, private, and charter school coordinators enjoyed an evening of “work-casual” fun featuring high-tech darts, great food, and drinks. While some were seasoned pros, many beginners surprised the crowd by outranking experienced players! Notable dart board winners included Blaine Wang and Angel Hernandez.
Recognizing Excellence: The 2026 Nexplore Awards
At the heart of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Nexplore Awards. These honors recognize individuals and organizations that embody our core values of Consistency, Competence, Communication, Creativity, and Community.
This successful evening was made possible by the hard work of our Logistics and Marketing Director, Jesse Stephens, who organized the venue and event details.
Most importantly, we want to thank our partners. Your commitment to student growth—academically, socially, and emotionally—is what drives us to provide high-quality STEAM, Life Skills, and Fitness enrichment. Thank you for everything you do to keep the learning environment thriving long after the final school bell rings.
We look forward to many more years of sparking discovery and excellence together!
Celebrating the educator behind the JOY of learning: Annette Rael
At Nexplore, we love recognizing instructors who create engaging, supportive, and meaningful learning experiences—and this month, we’re proud to celebrate Annette Rael as our Instructor of the Month. 🎉
Annette brings professionalism, positivity, and structure into every classroom she leads. Her calm and encouraging approach helps students feel comfortable participating, exploring new ideas, and building confidence through hands-on learning experiences.
From RoboCoding to 3D Printing projects, Annette creates interactive lessons that keep students engaged while making learning exciting and accessible for every age group. Her ability to maintain organization, adaptability, and connection in the classroom makes her a valued part of the Nexplore community.
🎥 Inside the Classroom
From hands-on STEM activities to collaborative learning moments, Annette creates a classroom environment where students feel engaged, supported, and excited to explore new ideas. Her lessons encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence through interactive learning experiences.
Take a look inside her classroom and see the joy of learning in action.
💛 Thank You, Annette!
We are so grateful for Annette’s professionalism, positivity, and commitment to every student she supports. Her creativity, organization, and supportive teaching style create meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and growth in every classroom. ✨
