Flossmoor District 161 Teacher Named a Finalist for Golden Apple Award

A third grade teacher from Serena Hills has been named one of 30 finalists for the 2015 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Janet Burke is among the few chosen from 600 nominations from Pre-K-3rd grade teachers throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Golden Apple, 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, recognizes and honors outstanding teachers for their role in building a stronger, better-educated society. 

Burke was nominated for her passion and dedication to teaching. Specifically, she by far has given new meaning to “enchantment” as the classroom transforms into a land of learning and inquiry, according to a release from Flossmoor District 161.

“The awe of discovery and the incredible excitement witnessed on the faces of the children each day, is a sure indicator that she is making a memorable impact in the lives of her students and the entire learning community,” the district said in a press release.

“As teacher leader and outstanding educator, Mrs. Burke sets high expectations for all stakeholders. She masterfully places students at the center of their learning as she cognitively challenges and instills leadership attributes. Diversity is celebrated and embraced with each classroom community member uniquely contributing to its success. Her dedication and commitment to excellence continues to have a profound impact on producing life long learners,” said Ms. Shari Demitrowicz, principal at Serena Hills School.

A Celebration of Excellence in honor of the 30 finalists will be held on Saturday, April 11 at the Chicago O’Hare Marriott. Event details and tickets are available online. All are welcome to attend.

The 30 finalists will experience a final round of review and classroom observations prior to the selection and announcement this spring of the 10 award recipients. Golden Apple’s award selection committee is comprised of college and university professors, administrators and former Golden Apple Award recipients. Committee members utilize industry and research based professional standards to identify teachers who exemplify the best of the teaching profession. As part of the final selection process, the finalists will be observed in their classrooms and the selection committee will conduct interviews with the teachers’ colleagues, supervisors, students and parents.

“All of the selection committee members are so impressed by the dedication, passion and drive for excellence in teaching that these finalists have demonstrated. They exemplify the powerful role that an outstanding teacher can play in transforming students’ lives – and at Golden Apple, we believe exceptional teachers deserve the highest honor,” said Dominic Belmonte, president and CEO of Golden Apple.

Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University. Each recipient also receives a $5,000 cash award. Perhaps most importantly, award recipients become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, giving them a stronger voice and a larger stage from which to make a difference in education within Illinois and nationally.