Three graduates of DePaul University’s School of Education have won prestigious Golden Apple teaching awards and will be honored at a Sept. 25 ceremony.

Christina Hayward, Jennifer Phares and Kristin O’Rourke Salamanca won Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in teaching pre-kindergarten through third grades from the Golden Apple Foundation, which is dedicated to recognizing and developing outstanding teachers, especially for schools in need. Each of the 10 Golden Apple winners receive a tuition-free, spring-term sabbatical at Northwestern University, a personal computer, $3,000, and membership in the Golden Apple Academy of Educators. The academy has inducted 230 expert teachers in the past 23 years to ensure that all children have the excellent teachers they deserve.

Hayward, a kindergarten teacher at University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in the Hyde Park neighborhood, said she was honored and humbled by the recognition. Hayward, who received a master’s degree in teaching and learning from DePaul in 1997, believes the most important facet of her teaching is social and emotional learning. “Social-emotional learning involves building and strengthening skills we need to effectively manage our work, relationships and ourselves,” said Hayward, also of the Hyde Park neighborhood. “Learning to recognize and name emotions, show concern for others, make and keep friends, resolve conflicts and make good choices are all part of the kindergarten curriculum. These lessons weave themselves into every aspect of kindergarten life.”

Phares, a first-grade teacher at Bright Elementary School on Chicago’s Southeast Side, received a master’s degree in early childhood education from DePaul in 2004. “When I was at DePaul, my professors taught me to teach the whole child, and that is the philosophy I follow when I teach,” said Phares, who grew up in Oak Brook and now lives in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. “In order to achieve success with each child academically, I must first reach them emotionally. It is my job as a teacher … to help each child believe that there are no limits to what they can achieve.” Phares hopes to read President Barack Obama’s memoirs to her students so they can make connections between his life and their own lives and learn what it means to have good character.

Salamanca teaches kindergarten through fifth grade at Red Oak Elementary School in Highland Park. In her morning kindergarten class, all instruction is in Spanish for the 19 native Spanish-speaking students and children of other backgrounds. She also teaches an afternoon English-as-a-Second Language and bilingual-support class, where her 17 students are Spanish, Polish or Russian-speaking. Parents with limited-language skills meet monthly with Salamanca to get help with literacy. Salamanca also translates all of the school’s materials and books into Spanish for all grade levels. A resident of Highland Park, Salamanca wants to continue working to create more materials for dual-language students. “I was honored to receive the Golden Apple award because it celebrates the implementation of best practices for English-language learners and excellence in the dual-language philosophy,” said Salamanca, who received a master’s degree in education from DePaul in 2005.

A total of 972 teachers from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties were nominated for the award, which was first presented in 1986. Thirty finalists were named in March, from which 10 were chosen by a selection committee composed of Chicago-area educators. Two selection committee members observed each of the 30 finalists in their classrooms and interviewed their principals and selected colleagues, parents and students. At least 12 other DePaul graduates have won the award since 1990.

The three will be honored at an awards ceremony on Sept. 25 at the WTTW Production Center in Chicago that subsequently will be aired as a one-hour prime-time special on WTTW-Channel 11.

DePaul has one of the largest schools of education in the Chicago area, offering degree programs in early childhood education; elementary, secondary, and physical education; special education; world languages education; bilingual/bicultural education; curriculum studies; educational leadership; human services and counseling; and language, literacy and specialized instruction.