Jean Tello founded the YMCA Youth & Government Program at Stagg in 1969. Jean worked with this program until her retirement and served in various capacities including: Stagg Sponsor, Y & G State Board member and Chairperson of the Board.
In addition, she served in the Illinois Education Association-NEA from 1973-2003 at the local, regional, state and national levels. Jean served on the NEA Board of Directors from 1988-1993 and chaired the NEA Professional Development Committee. Ms. Tello was Vice President of the IEA-NEA, 1993-1999. In addition, she was a delegate to the World Confederation of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP) twice.
In 1984 she was a Mondale Delegate to the Democratic National Convention (DNC); in 1988 a Paul Simon Delegate to the DNC and in 1996 a Clinton Delegate to the DNC.
In 1987 Jean was honored as the Illinois Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Board of Education.
After retirement She worked with the Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail in Palos Heights, Illinois to secure construction of a 30-mile bike trail in the southwest suburbs. In addition, Jean served on her Home Owners Board in Palm Springs, Ca. from 2009-2017. Since 2017 she served on the Palm Springs American Association of University Women(AAUW) Tech Trek Committee. Tech Trek is a program that provides a summer camp experience for 12-year old girls in Tech Training at various California Universities.
