Arlington Heights Woman Selected As Golden Apple Award Finalist

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — An Arlington Heights woman who teaches in Bannockburn has been selected as a finalist for the the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Kathy Garneau, a 4th through 7th grade library and STEM teacher at Bannockburn School, is one of 30 finalists for the award, according to a news release sent to Patch. For this annual award, the 30 finalists are selected out of a pool of 730 qualified teachers across Illinois, the news release said.

Golden Apple is an Illinois nonprofit that's dedicated to recognizing exemplary educators and developing future educators.

According to the news release, Garneau was selected as a finalist for her unique ability to teach students empathy, and has done so through creating orthotic devices for Beanie Babies with her students, and sent them to children who utilize similar devices while in the hospital.

>> View the 2020 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching Finalists

In the news release, the organization noted it's critical to elevate recognition of the "immense value of excellent teachers and the importance of the teaching profession" as the shortage of educators in Illinois continues to grow.

Patch has reached out to Bannockburn School District 106 regarding this special recognition of Garneau, and will update this piece accordingly.

Teacher and school leader finalists for the Golden Apple Awards will be honored at the Celebration of Excellence in Teaching & Leadership on Feb. 22 at the Q Center in St. Charles

More information: goldenapple.org/celebration