The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises William Howard Taft High School Teacher Jennifer Trejo with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching

CHICAGO (May 2nd, 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 Jennifer Trejo, a 10th, 11th, and 12th grade teacher at William Howard Taft in Chicago, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Trejo 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 Jennifer Trejo
By using her class as a tool to respond to public art through continuous analysis, sketching and annotation, Jennifer Trejo is helping a new generation of artists better understand themselves and the world. Trejo is an avid believer that most art is informed by previous artists, narratives and life events, and as such she seeks to help students practice methods that help them draw out these connections to engage in continuous learning. In addition to her in-class teachings, Trejo is an AP Reader with the College Board, which she notes has been helpful in allowing her to examine artworks from students of all backgrounds, identities, resources, privileges and skill levels. Trejo is inspired by other AP instructors, and has continuously modified her teaching practice to use tools and resources that will help students prepare for AP testing and beyond. But Trejo also believes that great instruction involves far more than simply preparing her class for testing success: to get to know her students is a privilege, and one she does not take lightly. Trejo enjoys learning about her students and their families, experiences, ideas and goals so that she can help them make connections between themselves and the art they study. By providing her class with as much agency and personal choice as possible, Trejo hopes to give students the autonomy they need to engage in self-guidance, exploration and — most importantly — the kind of playfulness that leads to artistic discovery. 

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