Orrignton Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher Wins Golden Apple Award

James Schamber, a second grade teacher at Orrington Elementary School in Evanston, was surprised Wednesday morning when he was presented with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Schamber is one of 10 recipients selected from more than 600 pre-K to 3rd grade teachers who were nominated from throughout Chicagoland.

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Humor plays a big role in Schamber’s classroom, according to a news release.

“It bridges the gap between instructional goals and learning outcomes,” he said, adding that learners feel comfortable expressing themselves because in his classroom he understands that mistakes must be made in order to reach differentiated learning goals.

“He leverages technology, dancing and singing to create a fun, comfortable and engaging classroom environment,” the release states. “Schamber believes humor is a motivational tool and helps define the nature of expectations within academic periods.

“He says that learning does not stop at the end of the day, and is often found tutoring his students, mentoring students from a previous year, or watching a student’s performance from the audience.”

Golden Apple, now in its 30th year, is a leading nonprofit committed to celebrating and developing great teachers with the ability and passion to make life-changing differences in the lives of students. The awards recognize and honor outstanding teachers for their roles in building a stronger, better-educated society.

Every Golden Apple Award recipient receives a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University and a $5,000 cash award.