Schools
Bloom HS Science Teacher Honored by Golden Apple Finalist Slot
Jill Krysinski, a Chicago Heights resident, was named one of the 32 Golden Apple Award finalists recently. Krysinski called the nomination an 'honor' and hopes to continue in the process, will still enjoying her work and her students.
Bloom High School teacher Jill Krysinski is taking the notion that science teachers must be boring lab rats and turning it on its head. As she bursts through a lesson plan on any number of topics in her classroom, she also strives to connect with students outside the classroom, with fun science activities and through community involvement.
And her efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Krysinski, a Chicago Heights resident, was recently named one of 32 finalists for the Golden Apple Award.
'The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognize and honor outstanding teachers for their role in building a stronger, better-educated society,' according to a press release from the award's organization.
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While the honor isn't lost on Krysinski, she's quick to stress that it doesn't separate her from her peers, either.
“I'm a finalist, yes, but that doesn't make me better than any of my coworkers,” she said. “They all just as deserving, if not more so. I'm honored to be nominated and to become a finalist, but any one of us could have been, that's how good the staff is.”
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As a finalist, Krysinski had to write several essays answering questions about her skills, experiences and teaching methods, along with getting three letters of recommendation from her peers. Should she be named as one of top 10, she said there's even more work ahead.
“It's not just a 'you get named' thing and then that's it,” she said with a laugh. “There's a lot to this and it's hard work, but it's really fun, too.”
Should she qualify for the top 10, she will also be observed in the classroom by a committee of representatives from the Golden Apple Award, and be interviewed by students, fellow teachers and administration at her school.
As the field continues to dwindle, Krysinski said that she will keep doing what she's been doing, teacher her students and making sure they have fun along the way.
“I really just like teaching my kids, they're all great and I'm just going to keep doing that and teaching them,” she said.
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