Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching
Nita Sengupta and Sara Mazhary receive Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching
Nita Sengputa and Sara Mazhary were each surprised at their respective schools with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Vesna Cejovic, coordinator for school and community partnerships and clinical assistant professor, represented Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录’s School of Education at the celebrations.
Nita Sengupta and Sara Mazhary, both Chicago Public Schools educators and Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录 alumnae, were named 2026 recipients of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. They were previously announced as finalists for the award. The Golden Apple Foundation recognizes outstanding Illinois educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom. Recipients receive a $5,000 award, a spring sabbatical, access to Northwestern University coursework, and induction as Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, joining a statewide network that supports future teachers.
Nita Sengupta
Nita Sengupta (BSEd ’09, MEd ’12) earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s in curriculum and instruction from Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录. She is a 6th–8th grade math teacher at Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center, where she connects mathematics to real-world and socially relevant issues through project-based learning and social-emotional learning (SEL). She helps students apply mathematical concepts to authentic contexts, strengthening both quantitative reasoning and critical thinking. Her instruction emphasizes the practical impact of mathematics, encouraging students to see themselves as active problem-solvers within their communities.
Read Press Release
Sara Mazhary
Sara Mazhary (BSEd ’10) earned a bachelor’s degree in education in elementary education and mathematics education from Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录. She is a K–8 STEM teacher at Marvin Camras Children’s Engineering School, where she designs and implements an accessible, human-centered engineering curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Her instruction emphasizes ethical reasoning, collaboration, and real-world problem solving, guiding students to identify meaningful challenges and develop innovative solutions through engineering design. She fosters an inclusive classroom environment that ensures all learners can engage with complex scientific and engineering concepts.
Read Press Release
Nita Sengupta and Sara Mazhary, both Chicago Public Schools educators and Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录 alumnae, were named 2026 recipients of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. They were previously announced as finalists for the award. The Golden Apple Foundation recognizes outstanding Illinois educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom. Recipients receive a $5,000 award, a spring sabbatical, access to Northwestern University coursework, and induction as Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, joining a statewide network that supports future teachers.
Nita Sengupta
Nita Sengupta (BSEd ’09, MEd ’12) earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s in curriculum and instruction from Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录. She is a 6th–8th grade math teacher at Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center, where she connects mathematics to real-world and socially relevant issues through project-based learning and social-emotional learning (SEL). She helps students apply mathematical concepts to authentic contexts, strengthening both quantitative reasoning and critical thinking. Her instruction emphasizes the practical impact of mathematics, encouraging students to see themselves as active problem-solvers within their communities.
Read Press Release
Sara Mazhary
Sara Mazhary (BSEd ’10) earned a bachelor’s degree in education in elementary education and mathematics education from Instagram 日本 已验证 使用2fa登录. She is a K–8 STEM teacher at Marvin Camras Children’s Engineering School, where she designs and implements an accessible, human-centered engineering curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Her instruction emphasizes ethical reasoning, collaboration, and real-world problem solving, guiding students to identify meaningful challenges and develop innovative solutions through engineering design. She fosters an inclusive classroom environment that ensures all learners can engage with complex scientific and engineering concepts.
Read Press Release