Mayor Daley, City Council salute Golden Apple teachers
(Chicago - May 07, 2003) — The Chicago City Council today adopted a resolution extending their and Mayor Richard M. Daley's "gratitude and congratulations to the winners of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching."
The City Council also commended "the Golden Apple Foundation for its visionary approach to transforming education in Illinois."
More than 1,100 teachers from Cook, Lake and DuPage counties were nominated for the award, which was first presented in 1986. Thirty-three finalists were named in February.
The 10 Award-winning teachers include four from Chicago schools: Mary Bianchi, Christopher Elementary School; Elizabeth Giesen, Oscar Mayer Elementary School, Carolyn Grantham, Woodson South Elementary School; and Paula Sprecher, Farnsworth Elementary School.
The six suburban teachers are Thomas Beck, Central Elementary School, Lake Bluff; Karen Meany, Sieden Prairie School, Matteson; Donna Piazza, Willow Elementary School, Homewood; Margaret Pyterek, Grove School, Northbrook; and Jennifer Santo and Luci Stein, Avon Center Elementary School, Round Lake Beach.
Each of the winners will receive a tuition-free fall-term sabbatical at Northwestern University; $2,500; a personal computer; and induction into the Golden Apple Academy, which now numbers 180 expert teachers who work together to ensure that all children have the excellent teachers they deserve.
Drawing on shared experience and inspiration, Golden Apple recruits, prepares, and mentors new teachers; creates model programs and partnerships; and encourages all teachers to attain ever-higher levels of excellence and commitment to teaching as their life's work.