Wheaton Teacher Named Golden Apple Award Finalist

WHEATON, IL — Briar Glen Elementary School teacher Chris Gillis was once tapped to temporarily fill in for an early childhood education teacher who was out on maternity leave. Fast-forward 32 years, Gillis is still teaching early childhood classes, and now she's a finalist for the coveted Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

"I took over for a maternity leave in an early childhood classroom and I never left," Gillis told Patch. Gillis said she "always" wanted to be a teacher and initially set out to be a gym teacher.

While pursuing her undergraduate degree at Illinois State University, Gillis roomed with women who had "physical disabilities," an experience that inspired her to pursue a career in special education instead.

Today, she teaches three- and four-year-olds in a "blended classroom" that she said includes students with "special needs." Gillis said she finds it rewarding to watch the children she teaches "grow and change."

Gillis went on, "Sometimes we’ll look back at a child who we remember first came to school and maybe wasn’t talking yet and played by themselves all the time. [Later], I see them [socializing] in 4th or 5th grade and having friends."

She added that over the years, "I have so many memories of so many children who have made so many gains."

Gillis's key to success is to make school enjoyable for her students. "I have to make sure this is a fun, engaging place to come because I want them to love to come to school every single day."

Another part of what helps Gillis succeed in the classroom is the relationship she has with parents, who learn to trust her and the school system with children who are entering the classroom for the first time in their lives.

"What I treasure the most is [how] families learn to trust the school system," Gillis said.

It's parents whom Gillis credits with helping her adjust when the coronavirus hit and classrooms shifted to remote learning.

“This has been the hardest year of teaching in my life," Gillis told Patch. She added, "Man, I couldn’t do it without my parents.”

Now, most of Gillis's students are learning in person, with their schedules slightly shortened to allow for classroom sanitation. Gillis told Patch the kids have taken social distancing, masks and other adjustments in stride.

She said, "It’s amazing how adaptable the children are. You teach them a new routine, and they do it."

This school year's unique challenges make the Golden Apple nomination all the sweeter for Gillis. She said, "I’m so honored. I’m touched that a parent took the time to nominate me, especially this year. All the teachers are working [so] hard; I’m so humbled that I was nominated.”

Gillis was selected as one of 32 Golden Apple finalists from a pool of more than 700 nominees throughout Illinois. Per a news release, "The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities."

When Gillis isn't in the classroom, she's still working to make a positive impact. She mentors new teachers, works as a Kids on the Block puppeteer and co-heads a non-profit that helps provide adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs, adaptive bikes and wheelchair-accessible vans.

As one of Gillis's colleagues told Golden Apple Foundation, "she spends every waking moment serving others, whether it is in the school, in her personal life or in the community."

Winners of the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching will be surprised in the springtime. They will receive $5,000 cash and a spring sabbatical.