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High school teacher Kathleen Mahoney MAT '09 is now a Golden Apple award winner.

Mahoney, who was named a finalist earlier this year, was presented with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in her Lake View High School classroom on May 1.

Mahoney is one of 11 teachers in Illinois to receive the prestigious recognition this year. More than 470 educators were nominated.

According to the Golden Apple Foundation, the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes outstanding teachers “for having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities. Teacher recipients demonstrate, in their teaching and results, a significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning.”

Mahoney teaches civics at Lake View High School in Chicago. The Golden Apple Foundation noted that she has “created a classroom environment where her students don't just study government; they actually experience it.” This is achieved through her work with Project Soapbox, a public speaking program designed by the Mikva Challenge, where students research, write and deliver speeches on issues that matter to them. Mahoney also involves her students in coming up with ideas for spending school funds on internal improvements, which they then present to a panel of adults and to the entire school.

Mahoney is also involved with the Next Gen City Council Program, connecting students with Chicago officials to research issues, draft proposals for new policies and present solutions. The students participate in a mock city council meeting where they debate and vote on their proposals, with the winning proposal brought before the Chicago City Council.

“Kathleen's teaching philosophy gives students real-world opportunities to engage, lead and create change in their communities,” the Golden Apple Foundation said in a statement.

Mahoney said her graduate school education from Dominican was valuable in preparing her for the work she does today.

“I really valued that Dominican shared multiple perspectives and experiences of education within our class readings and discussions,” she said. “I especially valued the experience of doing my observation hours and student teaching in different types of schools, including middle school and high school and schools in different communities. The unit planning preparation was also second to none. I learned the ins and outs of backward design unit planning at Dominican and this is a planning strategy I implement with every unit.” 

Each Golden Apple award recipient receives a $5,000 award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University. Award recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators.