Illinois College alumna Christina Beck '04 recipient of prestigious Golden Apple ‘Excellence in Teaching’ award

Beck, an elementary school teacher, was surprised at West Side Primary School in Harrisburg with the news. She is one of ten recipients of the award, out of more than 600 nominations.

Golden Apple is the leading nonprofit organization in Illinois dedicated to preparing, mentoring, and honoring great educators across the state.

As quoted in the official Golden Apple release: "Christina Beck brings joy and enthusiasm to her classroom every day. Her genuine love of teaching is evident in the warm smiles she shares with her students, creating an inviting and positive learning environment. Beck's well-organized approach ensures that each day is filled with engaging lessons that captivate her students and reflect her deep commitment to their education."

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.

Illinois College partnered with Golden Apple for a streamlined process for students to earn their education licensures via the online program. Graduates with a major in biology, English, history, math or a related area are eligible to enroll in the secondary licensure program and students may enter the elementary licensure program from a range of majors. Through the partnership, scholarships are available for IC's licensure program. The scholarships can pay for tuition and participants can receive stipends to assist with expenses.

To read the official release, visit Golden Apple's site.