North Chicago Teacher Selected As Golden Apple Award Finalist

NORTH CHICAGO, IL — A teacher in North Chicago is one of 30 finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. according to a news release sent to Patch, Tesha Castillo, a teacher at LEARN 6 Charter School, was selected as a finalist from a field of 732 nominations received from 64 counties in Illinois.

According to the news release, Principal Kelly Tyson of LEARN 6 Charter School believes Ms. Castillo is central to their success academically and personally, even helping LEARN 6 earn an 'Exemplary' designation by the Illinois School Board in 2018.

In addition to raising the bar academically, Ms. Castillo empowers her students by creating a culture of giving back, even from the lower income students, the release said, adding that she does this through the WE DAY club at LEARN 6, a community service club she spearheads that unites both student and parents to volunteer at a variety of charities, such as Feed My Starving Children and Bernie's Book Bank. According to the news release, Ms. Castillo believes it's important to teach them that you can always give away your "time and talent," even if you don't always have "treasure."

The other area finalist is Kathy Garneau, from Arlington Heights, who is a library and STEM teacher at Bannockburn School.

Golden Apple is an Illinois nonprofit that's dedicated to recognizing exemplary educators and developing future educators. The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching honors outstanding teachers for their roles in having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities, the news release said. Fellow educators, students, parents and community members nominate teachers for the awards, the news release said, adding that teachers may not self-nominate.

>> 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.

Related: Arlington Heights Woman Selected As Golden Apple Award Finalist

“There are few individuals in the state who contribute more to the collective success of our communities than teachers," Golden Apple CEO Alicia Winckler said, according to the news release. “With the growing shortage of educators in Illinois, it is critical that we elevate recognition of teachers like the finalists announced today and the importance of the teaching profession. Each of these educators serves as a powerful example of the outsized impact one person can have when they are dedicated and committed to excellence. In raising awareness of their accomplishments, we seek to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”

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.

Complete list of finalists for the 2020 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching

More information: goldenapple.org/celebration