MEDIA WATCH: Rahm uses Golden Apple announcement for another publicity stunt as Lindblom teacher wins award
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used the announcement of the annual Golden Apple awards to hold another school based publicity stunt and get his version of reality into the newspapers, sending out a press release from City Hall complete with a photograph so that any staff-short publication could pick up the story without effort. The Golden Apple Foundation, begun by venture capitalist Martin Koldyke, has been awarding the Golden Apples for more than a quarter century.
The mayor's publicity stunt photograph depicting Rahm being nice to a teacher. The photo was provided to the press by the Mayor's Press Office on May 1, 2013. The City Hall press release follows:
MAYOR EMANUEL SURPRISES OUTSTANDING TEACHER BY PRESENTING GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION AWARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. May 1, 2013. CONTACT: Mayor’s Press Office. 312.744.3334
press@cityofchicago.org
This morning, Mayor Emanuel surprised Elizabeth Copper, a teacher at Lindblom Math & Science Academy, by presenting her with a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Copper was nominated for the award along with 510 other teachers from across Illinois and is one of only 10 winners, four of which are in Chicago schools. Mayor Emanuel was joined by Dominic Belmonte, President and CEO of the Golden Apple Foundation.
“For a student to succeed, we need everyone to be involved, from principals to parents to teachers. Ms. Copper is an inspiring example of the incredible teachers we have across this city, who dedicate every minute of every day towards supporting our students and providing them with an education that opens the door to their future,” said Mayor Emanuel. “From aquaponics to forensics, she opens her students’ eyes to the world around them, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”
Copper teaches upperclassmen in Forensics and AP Environmental at Lindblom, serves as the faculty advisor to the school’s Go Green environmental club, and was instrumental in bringing an aquaponics system into the school’s on-site greenhouse. A native Chicagoan, she lives in Calumet Park.
"We are thrilled to present these superb elementary school teachers from the Chicago area as emblematic of the thousands of devoted teachers in High School bringing their students confidence and hope through their daily instruction,” said Dominic Belmonte, President and CEO of Golden Apple. “We happily join these ten to the legion of the Golden Apple Academy previously recognized in pursuance of our mission to transform teachers and teaching.”
Golden Apple has recognized outstanding Chicago-area educators annually since 1986. 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.
This year, four Chicago teachers are recognized for their hard work and dedication with this honor, at four different schools: Lindblom Math and Science Academy, TEAM Englewood Community Academy, Walter Payton College Prep and Mount Carmel High School. Last year, Chicago saw three teachers recognized. Mayor Emanuel was joined by Dominic Belmonte, President and CEO of the Golden Apple Foundation, and Michael Koldyke, Founder of the Golden Apple Foundation.
