APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 29! Golden Apple is in the process of creating an amazing new Teaching Excellence Center for Illinois teachers. The center will feature exciting in-depth seminars in a residential setting throughout the year. This summer we're piloting the center, by offering four new week-long seminars. Three are residential (lodging and meals included!), and one is a more traditional non-residential format. All four of them are FREE! June 24-29 at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, IL: Click for the Flyer Click for the Application July 22-27 at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL: Click for the Flyer Click for the Application [This workshop is especially for teachers in CPS Region 6 and Chicago's South Suburbs] Click for the Flyer Click for the Application July 30-Aug. 3 at University of Chicago Lab School (non-residential): Click for the Flyer Click for the Application [TEN members are especially invited to apply!] Visit the Golden Apple Website for more information about these workshops or our other summer professional development experiences:

• Science Workshop

• CORE (Center for Ongoing Renewal and Enrichment) (for more information contact Sister Raeleen Sweeney: raeleens@goldenapple.org)

• Storytelling Workshop (contact Gaby Aguirre for a brochure: aguirre@goldenapple.org or (312) 407-0006)

Questions? Want more information? Contact Penny Lundquist, lundquist@goldenapple.org, (312) 407-0006 x122.

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Congratulations to the winners of the 2007 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching! The Golden Apple Foundation chooses ten teachers in the Chicago area each year to join its Academy of excellent educators. This year, the ten winners were chosen from over 800 applicants! The winners are:

Aaron Becker, History, Evanston Township HS Kraig Conyer, Adapted PE, Hinsdale South HS David Derbes, Physics, University of Chicago Laboratory HS Danna Dotson, Math, Lindblom Math and Science Academy Sam Dyson , Physics and Zulu, Walter Payton College Preparatory HS David Eanes, Music, Thornridge HS Joseph Ekpo, History, Ethics & Moral Theology, Fenwick HS John Naisbitt , History, Hinsdale Central HS Gina Williams, Fine Arts, Lake Forest Academy Melinda Wilson, Dance, Curie Metropolitan HS

In addition, this year, for the first time, the Golden Apple is recognizing ten additional Teachers of Distinction. To read more about the the winners and Teachers of Distinction, click HERE. Congratulations to the winners, to all the finalists, and to all the nominees, for your commitment to our children. TEN readers, how do you define excellent teaching? Leave your comments below!

Labels: golden apple