Joe Korner, retired WY English teacher, died on Nov. 6, 2014.

Within Korner’s estate is a grant to be given to WY’s English department. The donation will be made in honor of Korner.

Currently, the size of the donation from Korner’s estate is unknown. It is estimated that it will result in an amount between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on factors that may change the amount of the Korner estate.

The timing of the donation is also unknown because it will not be made until after the passing of Korner’s wife.

A stipulation of the grant is that it must be used by the English department alone. This includes the possibiliy of using the grant for upgrades to English department facilities and technologies.

“Our department is one of the few without Smartboards, and the cubicles could use our renovation,” said English teacher Josh Locks.

There is also a contingency plan set up that in the case of WY not being able to accept the donation, the funds will be able to go to any other English department at any Chicago Public School.

During his time at WY, Korner served as the head of the English department and hired many of the teachers who currently make up the WY English department.
He taught at WY for over twenty years.

Outside of teaching, Korner was also an independent author and wrote a book (currently unpublished).
Korner’s legacy will not only be remembered by the current members of the English department who knew him, but by the WY community as a passionate teacher.

Korner is survived by his wife, his three children, one grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

Recalling Korner’s legacy, English teacher Joseph Scotese said, “I will always remember Joe as a smart, funny and caring man.”