MacArthur dual language teacher named one of 32 Golden Apple finalists
Posted by Terri McHugh on Friday, March 23rd, 2012 at 12:19 pm
MacArthur teacher Maria Barba was named a finalist for the 2012 Golden Apple Award. Golden Apple has presented its award to 10 outstanding Chicago-area teachers since 1986. The 2012 award is designated for teachers in early childhood through third grade.
Barba, a third-grade dual language teacher at MacArthur, was nominated by a parent for the 2012 Golden Apple Awards. She is one of 32 finalists selected from more than 500 nominated teachers and she will be recognized on April 21 at the Hyatt in Chicago.
Choosing 10 award recipients from hundreds of excellent applicants is the responsibility of the Golden Apple Awards Selection Committee, made up of more than 90 volunteers including principals,
administrators, members of higher education faculties, and Golden Apple Fellows.
Golden Apple selects teachers who exemplify the highest standards and practices of the teaching profession. These qualities include demonstrating distinguished classroom practice (pedagogical skill), professionalism and collegiality, high standards for themselves and their students, the ability to create a classroom environment conducive to learning, the ability to reflect on practice, creativity, commitment to students and their learning, and contribution to the wider school community.
Barba’s dual language class consists of some students who are native English speakers and some who are native Spanish speakers. The goals of the program are that, after six to seven years of instruction, students will be able to use two languages in social situations appropriate for their age level; communicate effectively through reading and writing in two languages at a level appropriate for their age; perform academically at grade level commensurate with their monolingual English-speaking peers; and demonstrate an appreciation of cultural diversity and cross-cultural competence cross a variety of social situations.