Many of 32 Golden Apple finalists from suburbs

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Golden Apple Thursday announced 32 finalists for the 2013 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching at the high school level, including many from the North and West suburbs.

The finalists were selected from a pool of 510 nominations; 10 winners will be announced in May.

Among the suburban finalist are: Ryan Brown, Hoffman Estates High School, English; Eugene Chung, Deerfield High School, chemistry; Peter Duffer, Buffalo Grove High School, economics; David Hain, Streamwood High School, music; John Krestos, Niles North High School, Skokie, chemistry; Helen Lawrence, Hampshire High School, band; Diana O'Connor, Lakes Community High School, Lake Villa, music; Mike Piskel, Glenbrook North High School, Northbrook, biology; Gregory Regalado, Maine West High School, Des Plaines, art; Alexa Rodheim, Elk Grove High School, English; Michelle Titteron, Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein, economics and chemistry; Welfang Wang, Highland Park High School, Chinese; Kimberly Williams, Hinsdale Central High School, English; and Greg Wojcik, Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, band.

Since 1986, Golden Apple has recognized outstanding teachers in three-year cycles for teachers at various academic levels from kindergarten through high school.

Each Golden Apple Award recipient receives a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University, $3,000, and fellowship in the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.