Golden Apple Surprises Theophilus Schmid Elementary School Teacher Quinlan O’Grady with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching
CHICAGO (May 4, 2021) - Golden Apple, the leading Illinois nonprofit committed to preparing, honoring and supporting great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, today surprised Quinlan O’Grady, a 2nd/3rd grade teacher at Theophilus Schmid Elementary School in Chicago, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. O’Grady is one of 10 teacher award recipients in Illinois.
Following a highly competitive process, the 2021 teaching award recipients were selected from a record-setting 708 nominations of Pre-K-3rd grade teachers.
“These outstanding teachers transform the lives of students, schools, and communities over the course of their careers. Their resilience and perseverance in this past year–and their career–-has been nothing short of amazing,” said Golden Apple President Alan Mather. “Our 2021 award recipients will now join us in our mission to impact the lives of even more students by supporting the next generation of highly effective teachers through 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 Quinlan O’Grady
O’Grady’s school has been tragically impacted by neighborhood violence, including the loss of two students, four years ago. As a result, she makes sure her classroom is a safe and respected place for the scholars (as she refers to her students), knowing many come to school having experienced high levels of trauma or adverse childhood experiences. She intentionally creates a positive environment that focuses on the social emotional well-being of her students, using Calm Classroom techniques, meditation and yoga. Neighborhood safety is an issue where she and her students share a passion. She has taught the power of helping their community by assisting them to organize and participate in a neighborhood safety march. As a fully remote teacher, O’Grady is actively looking for ways to engage her students in a meaningful way and recently learned how to develop highly collaborative lessons in Science and Social Science that integrate student participation, collaboration, and embed resources such as text and video. She also designs and implements culturally responsive instruction and establishes classroom routines, procedures and expectations that are responsive and reflective of her scholars' unique cultures.
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 2022 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership is open. All are invited to nominate exceptional high school 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 Golden Apple
Golden Apple’s mission is to inspire, develop and support teacher and school leader excellence in Illinois, 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. Our vision is an Illinois 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 throughout Illinois. Visit http://www.goldenapple.org for more information.
Media contact:
Kellie Kennedy
312-933-4903
kelliek@theharbingergroup.com