North Shore School District 112 Teacher Is Golden Apple Award Finalist

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A North Shore School District 112 teacher is a finalist for a prestigious statewide teaching award.

Christina Tortorello, who teaches kindergarten and 1st grade at Sherwood Elementary School, was on Tuesday named as one of 30 finalists for the 2024 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. More than 600 teachers were nominated for the awards this year.

Each year, 10 winners are selected in the spring and granted $5,000 cash, a sabbatical at Northwestern University and membership in the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.

Teachers from a rotating range of grade levels are honored by the Golden Apple Foundation from year to year.

This year, teachers from pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade are eligible for the Golden Apple awards, which has been given to area educators since 1985.

"These finalists have shown outstanding commitment and made a positive impact on students' growth and learning, significantly contributing to their academic and personal development,” said Alan Mather, president of the Golden Apple Foundation.

“We are proud to honor these educators, acknowledging their crucial role in shaping the future of education and inspiring the next generation," Mather said in a statement.

In teaching at the elementary school level, Tortello "has found her professional calling, dedicated to guiding children in developing individual strengths and fostering a positive, high-achieving learning environment," according to her nomination.

Tortorello was described as "kind, patient, broad-thinking, and selfless teacher" and an effective communicator. She aims to nurture each unique child's talents to guide them toward becoming their "optimal selves," it said.

All Golden Apple finalists demonstrate significant and positive effects on the learning and growth of students through their teaching and results, according to foundation representatives.

"Amid teacher shortages, it's crucial to recognize educators, like those honored by the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching, for their significant impact on students and the broader educational landscape,” Golden Apple CEO Alicia Winckler said. “Such recognition is essential for promoting the critical importance of the teaching profession."

At Sherwood, Tortorello is committed to continuous growth as a teacher and is always working to improve and refine her methods, according to her nomination paperwork.

"Students not only appreciate but deeply trust her patient voice and sunny disposition," it said, "creating a supportive community within her diverse classroom."