Homewood-Flossmoor High School Principal Ryan Pitcock has been nominated for the 2015 Golden Apple Stanley C. Golder Leadership Award.
More Top Picks Tavr Vs Open Heart Valve Surgery Which Is Right For You
It will be only the second year that the Golden Apple Foundation, which is dedicated to providing exceptional preparation for teachers, honors a principal or head of school.
“The Golden Apple is the standard for excellence within education. Our educators and students should be proud their work and performance have been recognized,” said Pitcock, who was nominated by Nancy Spaniak, the school’s director of curriculum, instruction and professional development.
“Educators at Homewood-Flossmoor High School are special people,” he said, “Moreover, our students are extremely talented. Together, we have found ways to both improve and benefit from our work in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment and student climate.
“Without question, what I enjoy most is seeing our students perform well in the classroom and within extracurricular programs,” Pitcock said, “We have experienced good gains relative to student achievement and I believe continued the tradition of excellence associated with Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Our school board and superintendent are extremely supportive and together promote a culture of high expectations which our faculty members embrace daily.”
The high school is a three-time National Blue Ribbon award-winning school and an IB World School that offers more than 20 AP courses.
A member of the Golden Apple Foundation will be visiting the school to discuss and observe leadership among staff, students, parents and community members. The leadership award recipient will be honored on WTTW Channel 11 at the Golden Apple Awards Gala on Oct. 30, win $10,000 in cash with $2,000 going for a professional-development experience and $8,000 to the school for a project the winner chooses.
Pitcock resides in Flossmoor with his wife, Wendy, who is a mathematics teacher at Lowell Middle School in Indiana, and his two sons, Trey, 10, and Seth, 8.
“In spite of our successes, I still believe our best years are in front of us,” he said.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter.