In honor of a 5th-grade teacher with a penchant for wearing sequined jackets, big floppy hats and a black feather boa among other unusual attire, pupils and faculty wore pink-and-white boas Wednesday at Christopher Elementary School on the Southwest Side.
The occasion was a Golden Apple teaching award for Mary Bianchi, who was rendered speechless when Principal Deborah Anderson and an entourage of well-wishers came into her classroom bearing flowers and a basket of apples.
From Matteson to Round Lake Beach to Northbrook, six teachers of preschool to 5th-grade children got a surprise Wednesday when they discovered they had been chosen for the award, presented by the Golden Apple Foundation.
The teachers receive a computer, $2,500 in cash and a tuition-free sabbatical at Northwestern University.
Golden Apple winners
Six teachers received their awards Wednesday. Four more winners will be named today.
– Mary Bianchi of Christopher Elementary School in Chicago.
– Carolyn Grantham of Woodson South Elementary School in Chicago.
– Karen Meany of Sieden Prairie School in Matteson.
– Margaret Pyterek of Grove School in Northbrook.
– Jennifer Santo of Avon Center School in Round Lake Beach.
– Luci Stein, also of Avon Center School.
