SPRINGFIELD – Melinda Wilson and Scott Reed, two graduates of the University of Illinois at Springfield, are among the recipients of 2007 Golden Apple Awards, honoring teachers in Chicago-area schools, grades 9 through 12. The awards are presented by The Golden Apple Foundation, an organization dedicated to recognizing and developing excellence in teaching.
Wilson, one of 10 winners of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, graduated from then-Sangamon State University in 1984 with a master's degree in Public Affairs Reporting. She is currently a teacher of dance at Curie Metropolitan High School in Chicago.
Reed is one of 10 Golden Apple Teachers of Distinction. He graduated from UIS in 2006 with a master's degree in Teacher Leadership and teaches physics at Niles North High School in Skokie.
Some 800 teachers from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will counties were nominated for Golden Apple Awards; 32 finalists were named in January. Winners were selected by a committee of distinguished Chicago-area educators who observed each finalist in his or her classroom and interviewed principals, colleagues, students, and parents. The designation "Teacher of Distinction" recognizes finalists whom the selection committee found to be superior teachers worthy of note.
Each Golden Apple Award winner will receive a tuition-free, fall-term sabbatical at Northwestern University; a personal computer from Apple; $3,000; and membership in the Golden Apple Academy. Teachers of Distinction will be recognized for their distinguished contribution to teaching and asked to participate in Golden Apple programs. All award winners will be honored at an award ceremony to be held May 12 in Chicago.
The Golden Apple Foundation is a community of expert teachers and teachers-to-be who are working together to ensure that all Illinois schoolchildren 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 high levels of professional excellence and commitment. More information is available from the organization's website at www.goldenapple.org/.
UIS will host an event for prospective Golden Apple scholarship recipients on campus this fall.
