John Kretsos Celebrates Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching at Niles North High School

Golden Apple Award Recipient Surprised In His Niles
North High School Classroom

SKOKIE (May 2, 2013) – Golden Apple, a leader in
advancing the teaching profession in Illinois for 28 years, today announced more 2013 recipients of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. The 2013
honorees, all High School teachers, were selected from a pool of 510 nominees from throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

John Kretsos, who teaches Honors Chemistry, Chemistry at Nile North High School was surprised today in his classroom by Golden Apple representatives. He was presented with a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in front of his students.

Golden Apple has recognized outstanding Chicago-area
educators annually since 1986. The creation of Golden Apple founders Mike and Pat Koldyke, the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes and
honors outstanding teachers for their contributions to building a stronger, better-educated citizenry.

Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a
tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University.  Each recipient also receives
a $3,000 cash award.  Perhaps most importantly, Golden Apple teachers become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, providing a stronger voice and a larger stage from which to make an impact in education. Fellows participate in ongoing professional development
and engagement in education reform, as well as provide instruction and mentoring of future teachers through the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program, which has prepared 1,400 college students to teach in schools of high need in Illinois for a minimum of five years.

"We are thrilled to present these superb elementary school teachers from the Chicago area as emblematic of the thousands of devoted teachers in High School bringing their students confidence and hope through their daily instruction," said Dominic Belmonte, President and CEO of Golden Apple.  “We happily join these ten to the legion of
the Golden Apple Academy previously recognized in pursuance of our mission to transform teachers and teaching.”

The recipients of the 2013 Golden Apple Awards for
Excellence in Teaching will be honored at a black-tie event on October 25^th at WTTW/Channel 11 Studios in Chicago. WTTW will also broadcast the awards in a one-hour television program following the event.

Golden Apple is now accepting Award nominations for
teachers in grades 4-8 on the Golden Apple website at www.goldenapple.org.  Anyone may nominate an eligible teacher but teachers may not nominate themselves. 
Eligible teachers must be full-time classroom teachers at public or non-public schools in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry or Will counties and be committed to continue teaching in Illinois for at least two years after the
sabbatical.  Awards focus on a rotating group of grade levels (Pre-K - 3, 4 - 8, and 9 - 12).  In 2014, 4-8 grade teachers will be honored.

Distinguished retired teachers, college/university
professors, administrators, and former Golden Apple Award recipients serve on Golden Apple’s selection committee. Committee members apply research-based
professional standards to identify teachers who exemplify the highest standards and practices of the teaching profession.  The selection process includes classroom observations of all Award finalists and interviews with colleagues, administrators, students, and parents.  

“Golden Apple is committed to continuing to advance the training, mentoring and development of exceptional teachers.  We all know the impact a well-prepared teacher can have - not only in one classroom - but for future generations of students as well,” said Belmonte.  “Research shows a high-performing teacher can boost lifetime earnings of a classroom of 20 students by more than $400,000. That’s a $2 million aggregate lifetime earnings increase from just five years of dedicated and quality teaching.”

Golden Apple Academy members have directly helped more than 5,000 Illinois teachers to become more effective in the classroom and indirectly helped tens of thousands of others. Additionally, half a million
Illinois children have been positively impacted by the Golden Apple Scholars who have become teachers in Illinois since 1993 through advanced teacher
preparation and mentoring by Academy members.  The more than 280 (ten from Central Illinois) currently active Academy members have greater than 2,000 collective years of teaching experience.

About John Kretsos, NBCT                                                                                                    

John Kretsos describes his
 classroom as a comfortable and caring environment where students are encouraged to be themselves and challenge themselves to grow.   John blends traditional teaching methods with modern technology and pedagogy.  His class is “available” through on-line resources 24 hours per day. John also employs journaling with a special focus on metacognition to improve student thinking and learning.  John feels that what he learned from his favorite teacher (beyond chemistry) was the importance
of the relationship between student and teacher in the process of learning.  He has found that one constant
that seems to best indicate a teacher’s effectiveness is the connection that he or she builds with students. It is through a trusting and caring relationship that a student will open themselves up to the possibility that they can succeed and grow beyond their expectations. Assistant Coach for State Championship Chess and Science Olympiad Head Coach, John also leads many science demo shows in the community that have elementary students “jumping-out-of-their-chairs excited” about science. As a former student said, “He makes you feel that what you are learning is truly important. For the first time, I felt as if my studies mattered. I couldn’t wait for class everyday. The secrets of the universe seemed to be unfolding right before my eyes.” Is it any wonder that the students at Niles North selected him “Teacher of the Year” last year?

About Golden Apple

Celebrating its 28^th anniversary, Golden Apple began with
founders Mike and Pat Koldyke and a shared inspiration — to offer outstanding teachers a level of recognition and engagement in the larger work of education
reform. Golden Apple’s successful track record of integrated, innovative programs and resources enhance the quality, resiliency, and creativity of classroom teachers and improve teaching and learning throughout Illinois.  Qualified, passionate educators — including Golden Apple Award-recipients and finalists — lead a small staff of dedicated employees with functional and program expertise. A connected and committed board of directors oversees Golden Apple’s strategic direction.  Together with a larger community of expert educators, this nonprofit organization works to transform teachers and teaching.
Visit www.goldenapple.org for more information.