West Side Teachers Named Golden Apple Award Finalists

CHICAGO — Three teachers on Chicago's West Side have been named among the top educators in Illinois, the Golden Apple organization announced. The teachers have been selected as a finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Two of the teachers who were named — Robert Edwards and Leticia Raygoza — work at Pheonix Military Academy on the Near West Side.

Greta Kringle of Eric Solorio Academy High School in Gage Park was also named a finalist.

Following a highly competitive process, 32 high school educators were selected as finalists for the award — just six percent of more than 550 nominations.

The award honors outstanding teachers who have positive effects on students’ lives and build stronger communities. Teacher finalists demonstrate — in their teaching and results — their role in having a significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning. Fellow educators, students, parents and community members nominate teachers for the awards. Teachers may not self-nominate.

“Golden Apple is honored to recognize outstanding educators whose quality of teaching and passion for growing their students create an environment in which students are inspired to persevere and attain their dreams,” said Alicia Winckler, CEO of Golden Apple.

Members of the selection committee view video evidence of instruction and observe finalists’ teaching in-person in their classrooms. The observation includes a comprehensive day of in-classroom teaching and interviews with finalists’ colleagues, school leaders, students, parents and fellow community members.

Golden Apple is a nonprofit organization that's dedicated to recognizing teaching excellence. This year marks the first time in the organization's history that award eligibility boundaries were expanded to include all of Illinois.

All award finalists will be honored on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Golden Apple Celebration of Excellence in the Tinley Park Convention Center.

Click here for further details and event tickets.

Image via Golden Apple.