PLAY PURPOSE

the 12 teacher finalists on the District’s website and social media over the next month. The 2023 CPS finalists are as follows:

Anquineice Brown, Marquette Elementary School (4th grade, math & science)

Emily Brown, Robert J. Richardson Middle School (8th grade, English Language Arts)

Helen Chan, South Loop Elementary School (4th grade, Math)

Mandy Guzman, William Dever Elementary School (Grade 7-8, Social Civic Studies)

Latavia Hinton, Daniel Boone Elementary School (8th grade Mathematics and Social Science/ Civics, Algebra)

Rick Coppola, South Loop Elementary School ( 7th grade, English Language Arts)

Miguel Melchor, DeWitt Clinton Elementary School, (6th Grade Math and Science)

Donna Puccini, Edgebrook Elementary School, Chicago (Grade 5, English Language Arts (ELA), Social Science, Math, Social Emotional Learning (SEL))

Jeanette Rocuant, William P. Gray, Chicago (Grades 7-8, Reading, Writing, Social Studies and Civics)

Andrea Salgado, North River Elementary School, Chicago (Grades 7-8, English Language Arts, Writing and Civics)

Piotr Wojciaczyk, Pulaski International School of Chicago, Chicago (Grades 6-8, IB MYP Product Design)

Justin Wrzesinski, John C. Coonley Elementary, Chicago (Grades K-8, General music, rock band, band, and musical)

Guzman of William Dever Elementary School understands the importance of executing meaningful and relevant lessons and encouraging her 7th and 8th grade students to use their voices to raise awareness about important matters, make positive changes, and solve problems.

During a student-led inquiry-to-action project, Guzman’s students organized a series of fundrais- ers, raising over $2,000 to donate to a Ukrainian charity.

“I love helping students find their power. It motivates me,” Guzman said. “As a Golden Apple finalist, I’m thrilled that my goal to empower students is being recognized as an important part of education.”

The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership honors exemplary performance in school leadership by a principal or head of school who has had a significant and sustained positive impact on the school, created a culture of inclusivity, and delivered dramatic student growth. The finalists in this category were announced earlier this week.

Principal Calloway was selected as a finalist from more than 130 nominated Pre-K-12th grade school leaders. She believes that a leader must begin with the end in mind, and her end vision is for all her students to succeed in the college and/ or careers of their choice, and to be prepared both socially and emotionally for what comes after graduation.

“I’m honored to be selected for such a prestigious award in education. Being named a finalist for a Golden Apple Award exemplifies the hard work we’ve done at Kenwood over the years,” said Calloway. “Our students, staff, teachers and parents are equal partners in our school community. I thank them all because I wouldn’t have this platform if it wasn’t for their support. I’m blessed.”

The selected 2023 Golden Apple Award recipients will be surprised by the Foundation and their respective districts in the spring. Northwestern University generously provides a spring sabbatical to award recipients at no cost. Each recipient receives a $5,000 cash award. Award recipients 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.