More than four decades later, that wisdom still shapes how Ann thinks about her life, her work and her continued support for Illinois College. 

After graduating from Illinois College, Ann spent more than 30 years as a teacher, helping young children discover the joy of learning and laying the foundation for their futures. Looking back on her career, she sees education as one of the most powerful forces to shape lives.

“During my first few years teaching high school students, I marveled at the paths that lay ahead of them as they shared their dreams and ambitions,” Ann said. “Later, I spent more than 30 years working with preschool children, and teaching became not just a profession but a passion.”

For Ann, some of her most meaningful experiences in the classroom happened during the quiet instances of learning and growth.

“Watching a child’s eyes light up as they grasped a new concept was one of the most rewarding moments of all,” she shared. “Those moments reminded me daily of the power of education to shape lives and open doors to endless possibilities.”

Her education and experiences at Illinois College helped prepare her for those moments.

As an education student in the late 1970s, Ann gained diverse, hands-on experiences in teaching. Those opportunities helped her understand early on an important lesson that would shape her future career: every student learns in their own way.

“Teachers who view each child as a unique individual with distinct needs, abilities, and potential provide an invaluable service. As a student at Illinois College, I was given opportunities to explore all levels of teaching and experience a variety of classroom settings,” she said. “These experiences helped me understand that every learner approaches education differently and that effective teaching requires both knowledge and flexibility.”

That philosophy remains central to teacher preparation at Illinois College today. Beginning in their first year, education students step into local classrooms to observe, assist and gradually take on leadership roles. Through close faculty mentorship and hands-on field experiences, they build the confidence and skills needed to lead in today’s classrooms.

For Ann, the importance of her IC education only became clearer with time.

“We recognize that learning differences and challenges exist in every classroom, requiring educators to meet students where they are and help them grow,” she explained. “Teachers are often the first adults outside the family to have a lasting influence on a child’s life. Through encouragement, patience and belief in a student’s abilities, teachers can help build confidence, foster resilience and inspire a lifelong love of learning.”

The influence of Illinois College also extended far beyond Ann’s career as an educator. She met her husband, Tom Prather ’80, on the Hilltop. Together they raised four sons, centering their lives around service and leadership. Both active in the community, Tom retired after serving as president of Petefish, Skiles Bank in Virginia, Illinois. Today, the couple enjoys spending time with their six grandchildren while continuing to volunteer and stay engaged in the communities they call home. The Prathers were recognized for their service and connection to their alma mater this spring when they were awarded the Distinguished Service Award during the Illinois College Society Celebration this spring.

“Illinois College has been a great influence on our life,” Ann reflected. “We credit our liberal arts education with encouraging our love of travel, culture and learning. It is a great privilege to have been able to support Illinois College as students, parents and alumni. The time at IC with approachable teachers and staff was the reason we continue to work in the community during and after our careers. The friendships we made at IC are still part of our lives today.”

For the Prathers, supporting Illinois College has always felt like a natural extension of the opportunities they received as students.

“The idea of giving to Illinois College was an assumption for us,” Ann said. “We always knew we wanted to give back to the institution that meant so much to us.”

Their connection to the College spans generations. Ann’s grandparents attended Illinois College more than 100 years ago, and a commitment to education has remained a family value ever since.

Today, the Prathers continue to invest in Illinois College because they believe in the same mission that shaped their own lives. Their support helps ensure future students have access to the opportunities, mentorship and transformative experiences that have long defined an Illinois College education.

“Illinois College encourages students to excel in careers and life by providing a multifaceted background,” Ann said. “Our goal is to always support the growth and future of IC and see it remain and thrive in the competitive world of higher education.”

Ann shared that supporting Illinois College is about more than giving back. It is about helping future generations discover the same life-changing power of education that first inspired her to become a teacher more than 40 years ago.