CHICAGO — Golden Apple, an Illinois nonprofit that seeks to prepare, honor and support successful educators, recently presented Erin Cole, formerly of South Madison County, with a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
“I’m so grateful … for the experience with Golden Apple and was truly surprised to be one of winners,” Cole wrote in an email to The Times-Post. “I’ve had so many amazing teachers and mentors in my life, including my two parents who are my two favorite teachers.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with and help future teachers and programs that make support and uplift students.”
Cole, who teaches second grade at Decatur Classical School in Chicago, is one of 10 teachers in Illinois to receive the award this year.
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Winners were selected from a record-high 708 nominations of pre-kindergarten through third-grade teachers.
The award recognizes select teachers for lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities, according to a Golden Apple press release.
Recipients “demonstrate — in their teaching and results — significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning,” the release states.
Cole was also described by her colleagues as having “unparalleled” teaching abilities that “set the tone for the entire school.”
Cole leads committees, mentors teachers and students, and seeks new ways to make the school culture more inclusive, so that every child is supported.
She also is involved in the community, supporting efforts to provide clothing and furniture to families transitioning out of homelessness, food to local pantries, books to neighborhood libraries and more.
“Beyond the immediate benefits to those helped, Cole’s efforts have instilled in students the desire to push forward, to keep learning, to advocate for themselves and others, and to instill the intrinsic motivation to do good for their communities and beyond,” the release states.
Winners of the Golden Apple Award receive a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University at no cost.
Recipients also become fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, which aims to prepare future teachers through its Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs.
“These outstanding teachers transform the lives of students, schools and communities over the course of their careers. Their resilience and perseverance in this past year — and their career — has been nothing short of amazing,” Golden Apple President Alan Mather said in a press release.
“Our 2021 award recipients will now join us in our mission to impact the lives of even more students by supporting the next generation of highly effective teachers through our two teacher preparation programs.”
Cole is a 1996 graduate of Pendleton Heights High School and a 2000 graduate of Purdue University.
She is the daughter of Kathryn and Ron Cole of Markleville.
More details and photos can be found at goldenapple.org/awards.
