Plainfield Teacher Wins Golden Apple Award

When representatives from Golden Apple came to Lee Parrott’s second grade class at Wesmere Elementary in Plainfield Tuesday morning, the tears began almost immediately.

Parrott sat at his desk, unsure at first of what was happening, then when he realized he had been chosen as one of the recipients of the Golden Apple award, tears of joy began to flow.

Parrott knew he was a finalist for the award but didn’t expect to hear whether or not he’d won until the end of May. Parrott said he was very humbled by the award.

“It kind of humbles me to know that what I do matters and what I do with these kids is important,” Parrott said.

Before becoming a teacher, Parrott worked for UPS for 12 years. When he was at Illinois State University he became a teaching assistant for the radio station, which is where he said he got the fever for teaching.

“That’s when I decided to go back and get my second bachelor’s,” he said. “It was the best choice I ever made.”

Since then, he’s made Wesmere Elementary School his home, having taught first grade for 13 years and is currently in his second year of teaching second grade.

Parrott said he thinks he’s a good teacher because of his connection with the kids, not just academically, but personally.

“I let them know that they matter,” he said, tearing up. “I let them know that their voice matters in this world. I’m big on academics, but it goes way beyond that. I teach them about life and how every day is a gift. You never know what could happen and you have a choice to make it a happy day or a sad day.”

Wesmere Elementary Principal Denise Vershay said she thinks Parrott has resonated with parents and students because he’s a very caring and sensitive teacher.

“He really strives to connect with the students and the families,” she said. “Not only on that academic level but on that other social and emotional level. I think that kind of creates that respect and rapport. The parents want to work with him and the kids want to please him. It’s a beautiful thing.”

One of the activities he does with the students is called “Lunch Bunch,” which is one lunch period each week where he eats with a small group of students and plays games or just talks. He has also created a running club at the school.

At the surprise unveiling, Parrott’s family, along with many other people, including the family that nominated him for the award, made an appearance to show their support.

Sharon and Mike Parrott, Lee’s parents, said growing up Parrott never expressed any interest in being an educator, aside from when he decided to pursue a degree in it.

Mike Parrott said what makes Lee stand out as a teacher is that he doesn’t just focus on academics.

“He not only teaches the classroom curriculum, but he teaches a lot of the everyday things that kids need to learn,” he said. “Just like keeping their desks clean and keeping the room clean. The janitors here love him because his room is spotless at the end of the day. He does a lot of teaching in everything.”

Sharon said she thinks the honor is a wonderful thing. When the principal called her to tell her Lee had won, she started crying.

“He’s such a neat person. Very giving,” she said. “The recognition is wonderful. He’s always been a good kid.”

Golden Apple is a nonprofit committed to celebrating and developing great teachers with the ability and passion to make life-changing differences in the lives of students. A handful of teachers throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs received a Golden Apple award today. The recipients were selected from a pool of more than 600 nominations. The winners represent Pre-K through third-grade educators.