EGHS Teacher Fran Healy Awarded 'Golden Apple'

When Patrice Wood from Channel 10 arrived at her classroom last week, East Greenwich special education teacher Fran Healy assumed she was there for someone else.

"I was completely surprised," Healy said later. Wood was there to give Healy a Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching. Healy was a little embarrassed by the hoopla, saying the award should go to all her fellow teachers. 

But there was one aspect of the award that really pleased her – the nomination came from one of her students. 

Julia Slavin joined Healy's class last year. Initially, she was less than a model student. 

"I had a major attendence problem," Slavin admitted. "She went out of her way to make sure I got to school," Slavin said of Healy.

In her nomination letter, Slavin wrote, "I would like to nominate Mrs. Healy because she is like a second mother. She is always there when I need someone to talk to, and she helps me to solve my problems."

This year, Slavin strides confidently into the classroom, secure in her purpose and place in the school. The award was a surprise for her too. She sent off the nomination in September, she said, and figured since she hadn't heard anything, Mrs. Healy didn't get it. Slavin found out only minutes before Healy.

For Healy, known as Saint Fran to many of her colleagues, it was business as usual by the next morning. Her students depend on her ... and she depends on them.

The segment on Fran Healy and her Golden Apple has not yet aired on Channel 10. EG Patch will let readers know when the segment airs and send out a link.