Stevenson teacher wins Golden Apple Award

Darshan Jain knew something was up when his wife and kids strolled into his classroom mid-lesson.

The Stevenson High School teacher got a surprise visit by his family - and an entourage of other folks - early Wednesday morning.

Chosen from 562 candidates, the geometry and pre-calculus instructor was presented the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

With a look of joy and disbelief, Jain hugged his children and shook hands with officials as his students cheered.

Holding his 3-year-old son, Eden, Jain said the honor isn't all his.

"At the end of the day, it's the work of the students that matters," Jain said. "It's a cooperation between parents, teachers and the students. Thank you so much."

Jain, 38, was one of ten Chicago-area teachers to receive the prize. On Tuesday, Susan Harsa, a French teacher at St. Francis High School in Wheaton, was presented with a Golden Apple.

Jain, of Hawthorn Woods, has been teaching at Stevenson since 2004. He earned his master's degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago that same year.

Golden Apple winners receive a tuition-free, six-month sabbatical to study at Northwestern University. They also get a $3,000 cash award and membership in the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, which has inducted 250 teachers.

Marking its 25th anniversary, Golden Apple recognizes and honors "outstanding teachers for their contributions to building a stronger, better-educated citizenry," according to the Golden Apple Foundation.

Golden Apple judges said Jain creates an atmosphere that engages students in something more than just learning math facts.

"He is purposeful, precise and thoughtful," officials said in a statement. "Realizing the need for mutual camaraderie in his classroom, Jain doesn't believe his job is to simply deliver knowledge, but rather to be an active participant in the learning process along with his students."

Stevenson Assistant Principal John Carter wrote the application on behalf of Jain.

"On several occasions, the observers would report back to me that their experience in Darshan's class was the best teaching of mathematics they had seen in a long time, and in some cases, ever," Carter wrote to the committee. "Since the day he started at Stevenson High School, Darshan has demonstrated a commitment to excellence that pushes him to continuously learn about the art and science of teaching."

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<li><a href="/story/?id=379956">Teacher from Wheaton's St. Francis wins Golden Apple Award <span class="date">[05/11/2010]</span></a></li>

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