The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises George Westinghouse College Prep High School Teacher Robert Davis with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching
CHICAGO (May 4th, 2022) - The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, honoring and supporting great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, today surprised Robert Davis, a 9th and 11th grade teacher at George Westinghouse College Prep High School in Chicago, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Davis is one of 10 teacher award recipients in Illinois.
Following a highly competitive process, the 2022 teaching award recipients were selected from more than 400 nominations of 9th-12th grade teachers.
“We are honored to celebrate our 2022 award recipients and their many contributions both inside and outside of their schools. We know that their impact doesn’t stop at their classroom doors. These amazing teachers positively influence thousands over their lifetimes by shaping the lives of students, schools, and communities,” said The Golden Apple Foundation President Alan Mather. “They are truly inspirational, and we look forward to their continued commitment to the next generation of teachers as they support our two teacher preparation programs - the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs.”
The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities. Teacher recipients demonstrate – in their teaching and results – significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning.
About Robert Davis
In his many years as a social science teacher, Davis has worked diligently to help students better understand culture as both a concept and a contextual force. In-class instruction involves pushing students to recognize the many differences between how various cultures define the concept of culture itself, and encouraging them to identify and grapple with instances of culture in their own personal lives. By introducing students to individuals from different cultures who were tasked with explaining what the concept of being an “American” meant to them, students were able to better understand that culture is a constantly changing series of perceptions that can take on new meanings depending on the lens through which it is examined.
Davis is known for creating lesson plans tailored to specific student needs and helping those in his classroom make connections between historical concepts and their own personal lives. By providing students with an environment in which they can feel comfortable, Davis helps foster an authentic learning environment that stays true to his principles as a social science teacher while also inviting healthy discourse and collaboration.
Each award recipient receives a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University at no cost. Award recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a community of educators who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs - which are dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.
The nomination period for the 2023 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership is open. All are invited to nominate exceptional 4th-8th grade teachers and Pre-K-12th grade school leaders in Illinois at www.goldenapple.org/awards.
Golden Apple’s social media channels will feature surprises for each of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership recipients. Follow the news here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn.
About The Golden Apple Foundation
The Golden Apple Foundation’s mission is to inspire, develop and support teacher and school leader excellence, especially in schools-of-need. Our leading-edge preparation delivers exceptional teachers who make an impact. We help students thrive in the classroom and in life. Since our beginning, we have recognized master educators annually; and, these master educators help prepare the next generation of teachers through both our Golden Apple Scholars (for undergraduates) and Golden Apple Accelerators (for career-changers) programs. Our vision is one in which every classroom has a great teacher and to realize this, we are committed to making a material difference in resolving the teacher shortage. Visit http://www.goldenapple.org for more information.
Media contact:
Shonne Fegan-Ehrhardt
847-962-9879
shonne@theharbingergroup.com