The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises Lake View High School Teacher Puja Ramaswamy with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching

CHICAGO (May 3rd, 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 Puja Ramaswamy, a 9th-12th grade teacher at Lake View High School in Chicago, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ramaswamy 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 Puja Ramaswamy

After a year spent outside of the classroom, Ramaswamy has been excited to return to class in order to instruct new students about the principles of choir and choral singing. In-class instruction involves assessing each student by learning their pitch-matching capabilities and range, as well as teaching music theory concepts that they can then apply to singing. Ramaswamy believes music is one of the most powerful cultural forces for change, and notes that many turned to music to understand the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others. In keeping with these beliefs, Ramaswamy regularly tasks students with identifying an idea or course of action for which they are passionate and motivated. Students then present to the class a song that might represent their specific passion, and are asked to explain their reasoning with historical and cultural examples.

Ramaswamy is known as a “warm demander:” someone who consistently expects much from her students while also nurturing them to take pride in their lives and accomplishments. As department chair and Remote Learning Specialist at Lake View High School, other instructors note that she is always looking for new ways to support her institution and help students and fellow colleagues succeed. She also makes it a priority to engage with the families of her students. 

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