Oak Park English Teacher Named Golden Apple Finalist

OAK PARK, IL -- Elizabeth Farrow doesn't just teach English at Oak Park-River Forest High School; she is "driven by curiosity and inquiry" foster the "success of our school and students.” That's what OPRF English Division Head Gallagher said about Farrow, who was named one of the finalists for the prestigious 2019 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Farrow, who teaches 9th grade and 11th grade English courses, was one of 32 educators chosen from a pool of more than 500 nominees who made it to the final round for the prestigious honor.

Golden Apple officials said the finalists made up just 6 percent of the total nominees submitted from more than 70 counties throughout Illinois. Eligible teachers can be nominated by students, parents, and school staff, but are not permitted to nominate themselves.

To choose finalists, Golden Apple assembles as team of "master educators" who evaluate nominees based on interviews with peers, parents, and students, along with videos of each nominee in the classroom. Before a finalist is picked, Golden Apple's team will come to Oak Park-River Forest High School to watch Farrow conduct classes.

Farrow has taught English at OPRF High School for five years and continues to set "an example of excellence and professionalism in every interaction she has," Gallagher said in a news release. Farrow spends her summers furthering her own education by working toward a masters degree at Middlebury college.

If chosen for the Golden Apple award, Farrow will receive a tuition-free, spring sabbatical to study at Northwestern University and a $5,000 cash award.

Images courtesy of Oak Park-River Forest High School