Chicago-area celebrities and dignitaries made surprise visits to Chicago-area classrooms on Wednesday to announce some of the recipients of the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. The 2014 award recipients represent 4th through 8th grade teachers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Recipients’ family, friends, and celebrity presenters conducted the in-classroom surprises. Among the recipients Tuesday morning was Joseph Casanovas who teaches Math, Algebra, and Science to 8th grade students at Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies.

Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University and a $3,000 cash award. Award recipients become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, giving them a stronger voice and a larger stage from which to make a difference in education within Illinois and nationally.

The creation of Golden Apple founders Mike and Pat Koldyke, the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes and honors outstanding teachers for their contributions to building a stronger, better-educated citizenry. Golden Apple’s mission is to inspire, develop and support teacher excellence in Illinois. Golden Apple award recipients play a critical role in furthering the programs of Golden Apple, particularly as members of the faculty who help prepare the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois to be future teachers within schools of need.