Mrs. Kim Williams, English Department, is a finalist for the Golden Apple Award.
The Golden Apple Award recognizes the excellence in teaching every three years. There were 510 nominations in Illinois and out of them, 32 were finalists. “The nomination was a surprise, but being chosen as a finalist was more of a surprise,” Williams said.
After Williams was nominated, she was selected as a finalist based off letters of recommendation and five essays that she wrote, consisting of her lesson plans, school, community, and a teacher that inspired her.
As a finalist, she will be evaluated in the classroom. “After I got nominated, my goal was to present the most accurate version of who I am as a teacher,” Williams said.
Williams thinks if she were awarded the Golden Apple, there would be more opportunities. There are 10 teachers chosen out of the 32. The selected teachers will receive a cash prize, a sabbatical to Northwestern, and also the recognition of a Golden Apple fellow.
“It would just be an honor to get recognized for something that I love doing,” Williams said.
Other teachers have also been nominated for the Golden Apple Award. John Naisbitt, Social Studies Department, won the Golden Apple Award in 2007. Former Assistant Principal Pam Bylsma nominated Mr. John Nasibitt in 2007.
“I was really surprised and humbled,” Naisbitt said. He said winning the award confirmed for him his profession as a teacher and reinforced that he was on the right track.
