On Jan. 23, Golden Applean Illinois nonprofit committed to preparing, honoring and supporting great educators who advance educational opportunities for studentsannounced the 2020 finalists for the prestigious Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.
Thirty educators from across the state were selected as finalists for the award. Among them is Jenine Wehbeh, of Chicago's John B. Murphy Elementary School. Wehbeha former Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoreeteaches social studies to seventh- and eighth-grade students. A press release stated that she "empowers her students to be active participants in their communities, inspiring them to do things like going to D.C. to meet with elected officials about issues they are passionate about ( e.g. preserving DACA, restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated people )."
Award finalists will be honored on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Golden Apple Celebration of Excellence in Teaching & Leadership at the Q Center in St. Charles, Illinois.
The 2020 Golden Apple Award recipients will be notified in the spring with surprise visits at their schools. Northwestern University, Golden Apple's partner for more than 30 years, provides a spring sabbatical to award recipients at no cost. In addition, each Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient receives a $5,000 award. Award recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educatorsa community of educators who support current and future teachers and deepen the learning of students.