Highland Park Community Foundation Honors Jon Mall of Northwood Jr. High with 2018 HPCF Golden Apple Award
16 May 2018Highland Park, IL – May 9, 2017: The Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is pleased to announce the Highland Park Community Foundation Golden Apple Award recipient for 2018. This year’s deserving honoree is Jon Mall, Northwood Junior High 7th Grade Social Studies and Academic Exploration teacher.
Jon Mall changed his profession after 9/11 from a career in film and journalism to teaching. Teaching is his calling, and he feels as though he is a better person because of the children who touch him daily. Northwood Junior High is Jon’s home, and teaching is his passion. Throughout his teaching career, he has touched thousands of lives with this passion and with his outstanding teaching skills. Jon encourages his students to speak up, take risks, and push themselves to be the best that they can as they learn. The mantra on the wall in his classroom and his interactions with the students encourage every child walking into his room to: “Be Bold. Be Loud. Be Wrong.”
“Selecting Jon Mall as this year’s HPCF Golden Apple teacher is completely right,” said Sara Sher, HPCF Golden Apple Selection committee. “The Highland Park community is privileged to have exceptional teachers such as Jon guiding the next generation of Highland Park citizens. Through our recognition of deserving life-enhancing teachers, the Highland Park Community Foundation can celebrate the profoundly positive impact that their exemplary teaching has on the children of our community.”
In 2010, the Highland Park Community Foundation and a local family foundation initiated an annual Highland Park Golden Apple Award to recognize outstanding teachers in the Highland Park School systems. Nominations are made in a rotating cycle: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A selection committee, comprised of exemplary current and retired educators and administrators and former Golden Apple award recipients, evaluate the extensive application and complete a full day of observation. The final recipient of the award is chosen based on instruction, content knowledge, student and staff interaction, and contribution to school and community.
This year, nominations were accepted for full-time teachers in grades 6-8 in North Shore School District 112 who have completed at least four full years of teaching. The committee received excellent nominations, and after a rigorous and intensive review process, nominations were narrowed to three spectacular semi-finalists: Margaret Delligatti, Sarah Holsen, and Jon Mall.
The HPCF Golden Apple Selection Committee met this May to determine the 2018 recipient. Jon Mall receives a $2000 honorarium, a $500 gift card to Apple store, and a “Golden Apple” award.
All three of the semi-finalists will be honored publicly at the May 15 District 112 Board meeting. By honoring exceptional educators, the Foundation hopes to demonstrate the strength and importance of excellent teaching in helping young people reach their potential.