Golden Apple Teachers of Distinction
In addition to annually naming 10 recipients of the Golden Award for Excellence in Teaching, Golden Apple in 2007 for the first time recognized 10 Teachers of Distinction -- Award finalists whose superior teaching work was noted by the Selection Committee.
The Teachers of Distinction are recognized for their distinguished contribution to teaching and are asked to participate in Golden Apple programs.
2011 Teachers of Distinction
Scott Baeseman - Lake Forest Country Day School, Lake Forest
Erica Barraza - Lotus Elementary School, Spring Grove
Barbara Binversie - Deer Path Middle School East, Lake Forest
Tiffany Brugman - Henry C. Pierce School of International Studies, Chicago
Meg Burns - Gallistel Language Academy, Chicago
Beverly Clancy-Nunn - Dawes Elementary School, Chicago
Rick Coppola - John B. Drake Elementary School, Chicago
Teresa DeSantiago - Richard J. Daley Academy, Chicago
Chandra Garcia - William H. Ray Elementary
Staci Garner - University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago
Sharon Kranz - Roslyn Road Elementary School, Barrington
Martha Loza - Little Village Academy, Chicago
Leah Lunde - Wilmette Junior High School, Wilmette
Katie Lyons - National Teachers Academy, Chicago
Jennifer Magiera - National Teachers Academy, Chicago
Anne Oberdzinski - Polaris Charter Academy, Chicago
Bradley Parker - Josephine C. Locke Elementary School, Chicago
Talyia Riemer - Daniel Boone Elementary School, Chicago
Katie Schneider - Tarkington School of Excellence, Chicago
Lisa Simoncelli-Bulak - Westdale Elementary, Northlake
Matthew Sniadecki - Jefferson Junior High School, Naperville
2010 Teachers of Distinction
Mike DiMatteo, Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale
Christopher Esposito, Downers Grove South High School, Downers Grove
Emily Feltes-Maslanka, Farragut Career Academy, Chicago
Marilyn Gilbert-Mitchell, Percy L. Julian High School, Chicago
John Gonczy, Mount Carmel High School, Chicago
Michael Heinz, NBCT, Niles West High School, Skokie
Dr. Roz Iasillo, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Chicago
Paul J. Karafiol, NBCT, Walter Payton College Prep H.S., Chicago
Luis Navarro, Richard T. Crane Tech Prep Common H.S, Chicago
Leo Park, Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago
Michael Pond, Lindblom Math & Science Academy, Chicago
Ryan Rockaitis, Deerfield High School, Deerfield
Kelli Rushek, TEAM Englewood Community Academy, Chicago
Yolanda Sanchez, Benito Juarez Academy, Chicago
Frederick Schill, The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Chicago
Jennifer Trejo, NBCT, William Howard Taft High School, Chicago
Darren Tuggle, Kelvyn Park High School, Chicago
Dr. Mark Vondracek, Evanston Township High School, Evanston
Jeanne Walker, Orr Academy High School, Chicago
Jeffrey Yordy, Glenbrook South High School, Glenview
2009 Teachers of Distinction
Enid Alvarez, Lincoln School, Blue IslandSandra Bennett, Liberty Elementary School, Carpentersville
Christine Beukema, Finkl Academy, Chicago
Rachel Binole, Grand Prairie School, Frankfort
Barbara Cataldo, Sipley Elementary School, Woodridge
Pamela Ciway, White Elementary School, Batavia
Alicia Costas, Jose de Diego Community Academy, Chicago
Sara Covington, St. Leonard School, Berwyn
Deborah Graziano, Carpenter Elementary School, Park Ridge
Kristin Kaczmarek, Grove School, Northbrook
Scott Naber, Longfellow School, Oak Park
Carol Navarro, Pulaski Fine Arts Academy, Chicago
Colin Reynolds, Mann Elementary School, Oak Park
Jaime Shanahan, Sanborn School, Palatine
Gail Sherwood, Edgebrook School, Chicago
Sabrina Silverstein, Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Elementary School, Chicago
Megan Whitney, Audubon Elementary School, Chicago
2008 Teachers of Distinction
Margaret Burns, Gallistel Language Academy, ChicagoJennifer Cho, National Teachers Academy, Chicago
Lisa Espinosa, Ruiz School, Chicago
Heather Kelsey, St. Gall School, Chicago
Virginia Kogen, Madero School, Chicago
Brenda Kraber, Glen Grove School, Glenview
Sharon Kranz, Roslyn Road Elementary School, Barrington
Patrick McAndrew, Beye Elementary School, Oak Park
Mary Meade, Christopher School, Chicago
Mark Nelson, Stone Academy, Chicago
Esther Ohito, Pershing West Magnet School, Chicago
Claudine Randolph, University of Chicago Charter School - Donoghue Elementary, Chicago
Veronica Ruelas, Academy of St. Benedict the African, Chicago
2007 Teachers of Distinction
John Belcaster, Northside College Preparatory High School, ChicagoJeffrey Berger-White, Deerfield High School, Deerfield
William Bultman, Lincoln-Way Central High School, New Lenox
Susan Khalaieff, Geneva High School, Geneva
Glenn Lid, Proviso East High School, Maywood
Zakieh Mohammed, Roberto Clemente High School, Chicago
John O'Connor, New Trier High School, Winnetka
Scott Reed, Niles North High School, Skokie
Robert Rodey, Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights
Stephanie Skizas, Glenbard Soiuth High School, Glen Ellyn