Braeside Teacher Wins Golden Apple Award

To chants of “MVP, MVP, MVP,” from the student body, fourth-grade teacher Howard "Howie" Templer was given the Golden Apple award Tuesday.

The coveted prize is given annually to Chicagoland’s best 10 teachers in the fourth through eighth grades. 

Wishing to win after learning of his nomination, Templer’s hopes dimmed when winners were announced and he received no notification. Then, about 10 a.m. Tuesday,  and officials of the Golden Apple Foundation walked into Templer’s classroom with the trophy in hand.

 “My whole family is here. This is crazy. I’m totally overwhelmed,” Templer said in amazement.

“Is that why you told me to shave?” he said, pointing to his fiancé. 

More than 600 people were nominated for the award. They went through a rigorous interview process including classroom visits by members of the selection committee.

Dold put the award’s significance in perspective to Templer’s students, his extended family and other dignitaries in the room, including newly inaugurated .

“This is the Academy Award for teachers. He’s going to be teaching other teachers,” Dold said. "You’re lucky to have him each and every day."

The congressman also praised Templer’s achievement at such a young age, 27. Though he has been teaching only four years at Braeside, Templer is no stranger to North Shore School District 112. The Highland Park native attended and before he graduated from . 

This is the beginning of a great journey,” Dold said to Templer in front of his class. “Your teacher is going to teach others to be great teachers."

 has a personal reason for being at the ceremony. Her son, Andy, a sixth grader at , was one of Templer’s students two years ago. Sworn in as the city’s top elected official the night before, she was on hand for the surprise. 

“He’s one of the unique teachers. He really socializes everyone in this classroom,” Rotering said to Patch after Dold spoke. “He teaches them [the students] how to be a part of the community.” 

After Dold presented the award and Templer expressed his amazement, Braeside Principal Patricia Kritzman expanded the celebration. She announced to the entire school on the public address system that a special assembly would take place. As Templer walked into the multipurpose room with his class, the chants of “MVP, MVP” rose from a chorus of students. 

Kritzman quieted the crowd. North Shore School District 112 Superintendent David Behlow then picked up on the MVP theme and put it in perspective to the student body just as Dold had done earlier to Templer’s class. 

”Howie Templer is our MVP. Mr. [Derrick] Rose is an MVP because he entertains people with his athletic talent,” Behlow said, referring to the Chicago Bulls star who was selected the NBA's most valuable player this season. 

“Mr. Templer is much, much more. That’s because he touches the future,” Behlow told the students. "Each one of you are the future. He is teaching you to be successful in life." 

Templer was quick to give credit to the school’s other two fourth-grade teachers: Jen Ikens and Shara Lieberman. “I just copy what they do,” he said.

Kritzman agreed with Templer’s team approach. 

“It takes a village, it takes an entire staff to reach excellence across all grade levels,” the principal said. She also praised Templer’s leadership and passion, noting, “He loves his job. The enthusiasm is complete every day.” 

Templer will receive a $3,000 cash prize and a tuition free sabbatical to study at Northwestern University.

“I’ll be here in the fall,” Templer told the assembly. “Then I’m going to study at Northwestern in the spring. Then I’ll be back [here] at the job I love.”