Lake Forest Country Day School Teacher Kim Bell Nominated as Golden Apple Award Finalist

This past month, Lake Forest Country Day teacher Kim Bell was named a finalist for the 2014 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching and has moved into the final phase of the selection process. Mrs. Bell’s candidacy marks the seventh time a LFCDS teacher has been recognized as a finalist for this distinguished educator in Illinois award, and all of these nominations have occurred within the past twenty-five years.

Kim Bell, a veteran teacher who is in just her first year of teaching English at LFCDS, previously taught high school before coming to LFCDS. With this nomination, Mrs. Bell joins present LFCDS teachers Sally Bullard, Tom Crofts, Nan Caldwell, Scott Baeseman, and Maria Hempen as previous finalists to be recognized by the Golden Apple Foundation.

However, before Mrs. Bell became part of this outstanding club of creative teachers who have graced LFCDS with their tremendous teaching passion and abilities, she first had to advance through a pool of 620 nominations and 272 applicants to become one of thirty-two finalists. The Golden Apple Committee, which has recognized outstanding teachers in Illinois annually since 1986, focused on 4th–8th grade teachers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, and chose Kim in their final cut.

Mrs. Bell was flattered to have received the nomination, and mentioned that Tom Crofts, former nominee and the only teacher at LFCDS to win the award in 1993, was paramount in terms of influencing her to pursue the next steps. Tom still has his award sitting in his room, and when you ask him about it he only focuses on a part of the plaque–the inscription at the bottom which reads, “Awarded to Lake Forest Country Day School.” To Tom, the finalist process symbolizes the excellence that is on display in each and every LFCDS classroom. Tom, a thirty-six year veteran at LFCDS, has a real passion for the school and stated that it is essential that strong teachers who “make an impact” be recognized for their work, and that the school that nurtured that teacher is equally acknowledged.

Mrs. Bell mentioned she is glad to have come so far through the process, which involved writing several essays incorporating in-depth self-examinations, gathering numerous recommendations, and developing a relationship with two members from the Selection Committee, who have become advocates for Kim and who will play a significant role in deciding the award winners.

On Monday, April 21st, this Selection Committee visited LFCDS and experienced first-hand the positive energy and teaching enthusiasm that Kim brings to each and every one of her classes. It is rare not to see Kim with a bright smile on her face and her English knowledge is beyond extensive. Two days before this screening, Kim attended a recognition ceremony and received her award as a finalist.

What makes this award so unique is that it is awarded by a foundation that is so much more than a nomination committee. The Golden Apple Foundation has been a leader in advancing the teaching profession in Illinois for twenty-nine years, and does so through recognizing veteran teachers, preparing for future teaching excellence, and leveraging excellent teachers. After winning the award, Tom spent twelve years with the Scholars Program at Golden Apple, which is a program dedicated to recognizing potential teachers and transitioning them into teaching roles through one-on-one mentorship.

Whether it be simply spending extra time with her students, prepping them for the annual Robbie Bermingham Speaking Contest at LFCDS, or actively and creatively teaching her students in the classroom, there is no doubt that Kim thoroughly deserves this special award from this versatile foundation. As Tom Crofts mentioned, “Kim is clearly making an impact. She is not just liked by the students; she is having a significant, and very positive impact on their lives.”