Ten Golden Apple Fellows had a sabbatical at Northwestern this spring, as a special feature of winning the Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence in 2008. The School of Education and Social Policy honored the fellows at a reception in Annenberg Hall on May 28. Each year after an extensive selection process, the Golden Apple Foundation selects 10 individuals to honor as outstanding teachers, and award winners participate in a tuition-free sabbatical at Northwestern University. As a group, the award winners are involved in a seminar directed by SESP teaching associate Penny Lundquist.
The fellows and their schools are as follows:
Holly Bontkowski - John F. Kennedy Middle School, Plainfield
Carol Broos - Sunset Ridge School, Northfield
Monica Gill - William P. Gray Elementary School, Chicago
Samina Khan - Michele Clark Academic Preparatory Magnet High School, Chicago
Nancy Kotney - Sunny Hill School, Carpentersville
Daniel Morvaji - Lake Zurich North Middle School, Hawthorn Woods
Natalie Neris-Guereca - John J. Pershing West Magnet School, Chicago
John Nieciak - Mark Sheridan Math and Science Academy, Chicago
Brooke Thompson - Helen C. Pierce School of International Studies, Chicago
Donnell White - Michele Clark Academic Preparatory Magnet High School, Chicago
Carol Broos says of the group's experience this spring, "If I could say one word that describes the Golden Apple Class of 2008, it is passion." Lundquist's seminar led the group through TED talks and 21st-century skills, with discussions and presentations that were "representative of the ardor each one of us brings to the classroom," according to Broos. The group created a wiki for others to use at http://goldenapple.pbworks.com/
Asked to share advice on teaching, several of the fellows offered comments. John Nieciak suggests these teaching tips:
1. Keep students interested and accountable; it limits behavior problems and adds motivation.
2. Engage in teacher inquiry. Find like-minded people and use protocols to get an understanding how your students learn.
3. Following number 2 will help you avoid burnout because it promotes autonomy and a regimen for continued learning.
4. When internal conflict exists in the school or among educators, hone your craft. The energy spent focused on students' learning will be time well spent.
Donnell White shares some pointers on classroom management: "Realize that classroom management is a prerequisite to effective teaching. Use diverse strategies, including ongoing parent communications; collaborating with students to develop classroom rules, consequences and rewards; constantly reflecting; establishing daily classroom routines; learning to read each student's personalities and moods; creating a warm, yet respectful, classroom atmosphere.
In addition to attending classes at Northwestern this spring, the fellows have the option of taking additional classes in the fall. More than 900 teachers in grades 4 to 8 were nominated for the 2008 teaching award, and a selection committee of distinguished Chicago-area educators observed the 30 finalists, interviewing students, parents, colleagues and principals. Since 1986, the Golden Apple Foundation has given the Golden Apple Awards, dedicated to ensuring children excellent teaching.
Photo:
The 2008 Golden Apple Fellows introduce themselves at a reception on May 28 hosted by the Master of Science in Education Program, directed by Sophie Haroutunian-Gordon (right).
Last Modified: 11/19/09