Teacher At Buffalo Grove School Named Golden Apple Finalist

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — As it does annually, the Golden Apple Foundation announced Tuesday its finalists for excellence in teaching awards. Among those named was Amy Wacker, who teaches third grade at Buffalo Grove's Tripp Elementary School (Aptakisic — Tripp School District 102).

According to Golden Apple, Wacker "prioritizes the importance of reading culturally diverse literature in her workshop-based reading program. With a focus on biographies, she strategically selects materials to model the significance of historical figures within the context of today's diverse community. This approach enables students to connect their own experiences and beliefs to their learning, fostering a more meaningful and contextual understanding."

In all, 30 pre-K to third-grade teachers were named finalists. The selected 2024 Golden Apple Award recipients will be announced in the spring.

"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 Golden Apple. "We are proud to honor these educators, acknowledging their crucial role in shaping the future of education and inspiring the next generation."

The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for "having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities," according to the nonprofit. Teacher finalists demonstrate — in their teaching and results — "significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning."

According to Golden Apple, Northwestern University provides a spring sabbatical to the award recipients at no cost. Each recipient will receive a $5,000 cash reward. They will also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, which is a community of educators who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs. The programs are dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.

In addition, Golden Apple said this about Wacker: "In [her] classroom, a culture of empowerment and reflection prevails. She encourages her students to become leaders who reflect on their learning, offering them opportunities to engage in student-led conferences with their families to celebrate successes throughout the school year. Wacker creates a safe and trusting learning environment where relationships are prioritized, evident in her ability to share laughs and jokes with her students. Despite maintaining a positive atmosphere, she upholds high expectations and rigor for all students, ensuring a structured and challenging educational experience."

To learn more about the Golden Apple Foundation, visit the organization's website.