NLU Goes for the Gold

by Susan Malovany

Golden Apple awards provide golden teaching opportunities for alumni.

In Greek mythology, golden apples were reputed to bring health and beauty and thus were highly coveted. In the teaching profession, golden apples are also highly desired, but for a different reason. To receive a "golden apple" means one has had a tremendous impact on students' lives.

National–Louis alumna Michele Mangold was one of 10 Chicago–area recipients of the prestigious 2009 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching from the Chicago–based Golden Apple Foundation. The seeds Mangold has sown have had a far–reaching effect on her students and community. Mangold received her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction degree from NLU in 2006. She is a first and second grade teacher at Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights, IL.

In addition to the 10 award winners, Golden Apple is also recognizing 17 Teachers of Distinction in 2009–award finalists whose superior teaching work was noted by the selection committee. Teachers of Distinction are recognized for their distinguished contribution to teaching and are asked to participate in Golden Apple programs. Three NLU alumnae received this Teacher of Distinction Award–Kristin Kaczmarek (M.Ed. '08), Megan Whitney (M.Ed. '02) and Enid Alvarez (B.A. Early Childhood Ed. '97). Kaczmarek teaches first grade at Grove School in Northbrook, IL, Whitney teaches preschool at Audubon Elementary in Chicago and Alvarez teaches second grade dual language at Lincoln School in Blue Island.

As a Golden Apple winner, Mangold received a tuition–free spring–term sabbatical at Northwestern University; a personal computer; $3,000; and membership in the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, which now has inducted 240 expert teachers who work together to ensure that all children have the excellent teachers they deserve. The Award winners and Teachers of Distinction were honored at an awards ceremony on Sept. 25 which subsequently was aired as a prime–time special on WTTW/Channel 11.

Mangold's 23 bilingual children speak 12 different languages, including Polish, Japanese, Thai, Korean, French, Greek, Mandarin and Chinese–Cantonese, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Spanish. Her students describe her as their "personal cheerleader." She pushes them to do their best in writing and become strong readers. She attends their outside figure–skating shows, soccer practices, and language events. Mangold teaches her students to use self–efficacy as their motto–"I think I can work hard and smart," or "We can become good readers if we read more."

Mangold also keeps in contact with former students from Japan via Skype, an online web–cam broadcast system. When they came to America, her students spoke no English and were very afraid. They now are fluently bilingual and attribute their success to her. "I am amazed by my students and I celebrate their bilingual backgrounds," Mangold explains." I want school to be a magical place for them. I believe it is my duty to find a way, a path, that makes sure every child reaches his or her potential." Mangold says about NLU, "I would definitely recommend NLU to others. The classes at National–Louis University are practical, challenging and often inspiring."

Kristin Kaczmarek, who teaches first grade at Grove School in Northbrook, IL, is thrilled to receive the award and says she received it because of her belief that there is a connection between school and home. "I have a lot of parent volunteers in my classroom, and I like to get them involved in their children's learning." She says she enjoyed her time at NLU–"It has just the best faculty members." She explains, "My professors at NLU walk you through everything and encourage you to change your thinking and lead you to become the best teacher you can possibly be."

Megan Whitney, who teaches preschool at Audubon Elementary in Chicago, has spearheaded a project that donates books to students in Africa and says she was excited and surprised to receive her award. She says about NLU, "My master's degree helped me in my teaching career, NLU's downtown location was very convenient for me, and my faculty and fellow students were very supportive."

Enid Alvarez, who teaches second grade dual language at Lincoln School in Blue Island, IL, says about her field and NLU, "I really enjoy teaching and my classroom. I try to motivate the students and also always try to remain upbeat, positive and calm. I loved my time at NLU. The professors are so motivational and always helpful. They have even offered their support after I graduated."

Dominic Belmonte, president and CEO, Golden Apple Foundation, says about NLU, "It's become no surprise to me that invariably each year a Golden Apple recipient is discovered to have a National–Louis heritage. While the process we employ towards championing the excellence we seek does not focus on where the degree was obtained, time and again we discover to our delight that the path the excellent teachers we honor take passes through NLU. Doesn't that tell you something about the quality of the experience received there?

Rockford, IL, Golden Apple recipients

The Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford, IL, awarded five teachers with 2009 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Megan Forsythe, who teaches 7th and 8th grade math at Willowbrook Middle School in South Beloit, IL; and Lynn Marie Graczyk, who teaches 10th and 11th grade English at Jefferson High School in Rockford, IL, both received the award this year and are NLU alumni. Both Forsythe and Graczyk received an M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction from NLU, Forsythe in 2005 and Graczyk in 2008.

Forsythe and Graczyk were presented with a cash award and a professional development stipend from the Golden Apple Foundation, a desktop computer for their classrooms from Rockford Computers for Schools, computer software compliments of Entre Computer Solutions, a personal laptop compliments of Supplycore and the Terry Ingrassia Professional Development Scholarship at Rockford College. They both were also be inducted into the Golden Apple Teacher Academy where they join 140 members in continuing to positively impact the education profession through mentoring and professional development.

Forsythe says she is thrilled to receive her Golden Apple, and believes she received it "because I am constantly evaluating my decisions with the simple question, 'what is best for the student?' My classroom is structured so that while my expectations are consistent, my methods of instruction vary so that all students are engaged in the learning process." She adds, "Every day I get to find new ways to get students excited about learning. I make up songs and movements to remember math concepts; I implement technology into the curriculum to help students connect math with the 21st century; I literally do handstands to explain reciprocals. My career has rewards that go far beyond a paycheck. I love teaching because I get to work with the most important people in the world–our children."

Forsythe enjoyed her experiences receiving her master's degree at NLU–she calls it "a major turning point in the beginning of my career." She explains that NLU offered a convenient, quality education. "The cohort setup was ideal. Our group really shared excellent ideas of best practices in instruction." She adds that she liked the practical experience her courses at NLU offered. "I really liked that the content of the courses was immediately implemented into my classroom. The action research projects not only helped me grow professionally as an educator, but also benefitted my students' learning."

Graczyk agrees with Forsythe that she enjoyed her time at NLU–"I absolutely loved NLU and the faculty member who taught my cohort group," she exclaims–and enjoyed working on her action research project. She had to "let the project happen naturally, and it did just that. For one school year, I became a student in my own classroom. I wrote every assignment along with my students."

Graczyk believes she received the Golden Apple because she is a teacher who realizes what it is like to be a student sitting in my own classroom. "I try to plan and deliver the best instruction possible, all while getting my students to 'buy in' to what I am teaching," she explains. "I truly want them to understand the value and importance of what they are doing each and every single day in my classroom."

Lori Berkes–Nelson, executive director, Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford, said about NLU, "We have had a number of National–Louis University alumni awarded over the years by the Golden Apple Foundation for excellence in teaching. Clearly graduates of NLU are well–prepared to positively impact the lives of students and the profession of education."

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