Students at Scullen Middle School waved pompoms, blew on kazoos and led a chant of “Mr. White, Mr. White” as their orchestra director was surprised Thursday with a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Matthew White, who is in his 11th year of teaching at the Naperville school, said he was overwhelmed by the love and support shown to him at the announcement event. The school community, students, friends and colleagues inspire him to be creative, kind and curious, he said.
“I see examples of kindness and collaboration everywhere,” White said. “I’m mostly inspired by the people I am surrounded by. … I’m proud to be a part of this community and all the cool things we do together.”
White is one of 10 award winners in Illinois selected in a highly competitive process in which nearly 600 nominations were considered.
He was nominated by 7th grade student Tharun Manikandan, 13, who learned to play a violin despite having profound hearing loss.
Tharun, with help from his sign language interpreter Samantha Krippel, said White helped lead him on a journey so he can hear music just like others thanks to an aux cord connecting an electric violin to his cochlear implant. It allowed him hear the notes he was playing instead of noise and vibrations.
White reflected on the moment when Tharun heard his instrument for the first time.
“His face was a lighthouse,” White said. “It was the most amazing thing. I get goosebumps thinking about it. He was so excited to share that with everybody that he had a violin that he could play.”
White said there was nothing better than the feeling of sharing his love of music with someone else and seeing them want to share that with others too.
“I am so inspired by (Tharun),” he said. “He has inspired a lot of other people. He’s doing it. He’s in class doing it just like everybody else. He’s just an awesome, positive force in the classroom.”
Several of White’s students said their teacher not only helps them become better musicians, but takes time to build a sense of community and cares about them as individuals.
“He wants everyone to be connected and heard,” 7th grade student Nivrithi Bharath said. “He’s always there for us.”
White asks about the students’ other classes, she said, and notices if they are feeling stressed.
Tanvi Geera, an 8th grade student, said White is one of her favorite teachers.
“He helped me learn so much,” she said. “He has the ability to help everyone with everything.”
Eighth-grader Adora Osita said she appreciates how White builds a sense of community and incorporates different cultures within class. “He really makes orchestra a safe space,” she said.
White doesn’t just make the students better musicians, said Mwanashe Kureva, an 8th grade student, but better people.
“He sees potential in everyone, even those who haven’t noticed it in themselves yet,” Mwanashe said.
Indian Prairie District 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley said White is the district’s first Golden Apple award recipient in more than 20 years.
“There’s something all of us can learn from you, Mr. White,” he said. “You remind us to think creatively, to set high expectations not only for our students but for ourselves and to never stop searching for ways to help children succeed.”
Each Golden Apple recipient receives a $5,000 cash award and a free spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University.
Award recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
