Can a GBN Biology Teacher Win the Golden Apple Award?

Mike Piskel, a biology teacher at Glenbrook North, has been named one of 32 Illinois finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the most prestigious awards given to Illinois teachers, according to a District 225 press release.

The finalists were selected from a pool of 510 nominations and 215 applications for teachers across the Chicago area. The award honors outstanding educators for their role in building a stronger, better-educated society.

The 32 finalists will participate in a final round of review and observations prior to the announcement of the 10 recipients in May.  

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The Golden Apple’s selection committee is comprised of prominent retired teachers, college and university professors, administrators and former Golden Apple Award recipients. As part of the process, the finalists are observed in their classrooms and the selection committee conducts interviews with teachers, colleagues, supervisors, students and parents.

Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University and a $3,000 cash award. They also become fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.