Sunday Warrior News Update
Golden Apple Edition
The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises McHenry Community High School Teacher Otto Corzo with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching
CHICAGO (May 13th, 2022) - The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, honoring and supporting great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, surprised Otto Corzo, a 10th and 11th grade teacher at McHenry Community High School in McHenry, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Corzo is one of 10 teacher award recipients in Illinois.
About Maestro Corzo
“Success is not the finish line. Success is the journey.” In all ways, Spanish for Heritage instructor Otto Corzo hopes to instill this belief in not just his students, but also fellow instructors, by advocating for traditionally underrepresented groups — especially English Language Learner (EL) students. While he initially felt that taking on the position of an EL instructor might prove daunting without prior experience, Corzo soon realized that he could have an impact on current and future students. To further his mission, Corzo took additional courses to attain an EL endorsement, and also pushed for greater district-wide communication about the EL instruction team. Corzo believes he has not yet been “successful” in his mission to advocate for EL instruction because “success is a process, not a product,” and he wishes to keep improving at his goals.
Each award recipient receives a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University at no cost. Award recipients also 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.
Otto Corzo of McHenry Community High School surprised with 2022 Golden Apple Award