Haven Principal Named Golden Apple Leadership Award Finalist

EVANSTON, IL — An Evanston/Skokie School District 65 administrator has been named a finalist for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

Haven Middle School Principal Christopher Latting is one of six leaders of Illinois schools to be selected from more than 130 nominations for the award.

The Golden Apple leadership award honors a principal or head of school who has "had a significant and sustained positive impact on the school, created a culture of inclusivity, and delivered dramatic student growth," according to the Golden Apple Foundation.

The Chicago-based nonprofit has been awarding teachers since 1986. The award for school leaders was added in 2014.

“By designing a culture of high expectations for their school communities, school leaders like these finalists are creating positive outcomes for their teachers and students,” said Alicia Winckler, Golden Apple CEO. “Our 2023 finalists have demonstrated leadership skills that have led to sustained growth for their school communities and we are proud to honor them.”

Two winners of the leadership award receive a $5,000 cash award, while their school receives $5,000 for a project of their choosing. As with winners of the Golden Apple teaching award, winners also receive membership in the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.

“This recognition represents an opportunity for our school community to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and collaboration that the students, staff, families, and community partners have poured into Haven,” Latting said in a statement. “This is also a moment of great pride for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be recognized among such talented and accomplished school leaders.”

As Haven principal, Latting emphasizes collaboration, self-reflection and building relationships, according to his application, which said he has "two types of leadership styles – strategic and servant leadership."

Latting was appointed to his current position in 2020 after spending two years as principal of Isaac Singleton Elementary School in Joliet Public Schools. Previously he was principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, assistant principal at M.J. Cunningham Elementary School and interim dean of academics at Dirksen Junior High School, where he began his career as an eighth grade science teacher.

“One of Mr. Latting’s greatest strengths is that he is unapologetically centered around his students. He’s visible within the school community and has worked so hard in the wake of the pandemic to foster meaningful relationships within the Haven community,” Superintendent Devon Horton said in a statement. “He is incredibly deserving of this recognition and we are so fortunate to have such a caring and passionate leader in District 65. He is the right individual to be at the helm and championed an incredible and much needed transformation that has brought the community together.”

This year's other finalists include principals from Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Joseph Arthur Middle School in O'Fallon, Charter Oak Primary School in Peoria and Kenwood Academy High School and Polaris Charter Academy in Chicago.

“These school leaders are transformative and have shown the ability to empower teachers so their students may thrive,” Golden Apple President Alan Mather said, announcing the finalists. “We recognize their leadership, commitment to success and dedication to elevating those they serve within their school communities.”

Last Thursday, five District 65 teachers were named among the 30 finalists for this year's teaching awards. More than 570 teachers were nominated for the award, which this year recognizes teachers at the fourth through eighth grade levels.

Horton said it was phenomenal to have so many finalists come from the district.

“Although it’s not overly surprising. District 65 is home to the most remarkable group of educators who pour their heart and soul into their craft every single day," Horton said Tuesday. "These individuals represent the best of the best and their passion for their students is what ultimately makes them so successful. We are fortunate that they choose to make D65 their professional home.”

Enrollment in District 65 schools has declined by more than 1,300 students since the 2018-19 school year, during which time the district increased its number of administrative positions from 46 to 60 and increased administrator salaries from $7.1 million to $10.1 million, according to an Evanston RoundTable report. Meanwhile, the district has eliminated teaching positions, and total spending on teacher salaries declined from the 2021-22 to the 2022-23 school year.

Voluntarily reported state data indicates an increasing number of Illinois principals are resigning — 2.5 percent of principals resigned in 2018, while 5 percent did so in 2022, according to Better Government Association report. And from 2011 to 2020, the number of applicants for the job who have completed principal programs to get administrator licenses has fallen by more than 75 percent.

Earlier: 5 Evanston Teachers Among 30 Finalists For Golden Apple Award