Chicago Public Schools teacher surprised with Golden Apple award

Mary Kovats logged on Wednesday morning for a virtual assembly with her fifth grade class at Linné Elementary in Avondale.

Little did Kovats know, the assembly was for her. Within seconds, Kovats was in tears, surprised by colleagues, family and her students congratulating the veteran teacher for winning a Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“One minute I was scolding my kids to make sure they were sitting up because the principal was going to come online, and then the next thing I knew there were 100 people on the call,” Kovats said a few hours later.

“It was more than I ever expected,” she said. “It was overwhelming and I was overcome with a lot of gratitude and love.”

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Kovats, a reading, writing and social studies teacher, is one of 10 recipients for this year’s Golden Apple award, a prestigious honor for Illinois educators.

A total of 732 nominees this year were filtered down to 30 finalists, and the winners are being surprised with the award this month. Winners receive a free sabbatical at Northwestern University, a $5,000 cash reward and become mentors with Golden Apple for young teachers.

Kovats has spent nearly the past 20 years at Linné, living in the neighborhood and becoming a staple of not only the school, but her community.

“It’s become my family,” Kovats said. “I’m actually teaching students whose parents I taught. I’m very invested. I know them, I care about them. Education is one of the most important things in a child’s life, and I feel responsible.”

Linné Principal Renee Mackin, who nominated Kovats for the award, said Kovats cares deeply for her community and educating students about social justice.

“Everything she teaches is really current, but she ties it back to the history of the country,” Mackin said.

“She’s just super loved within the community, the kids just adore her,” Mackin said. “She’s so respected, she’s just so valued. We were over the moon to find out she got it.”

Kovats said all her years of devotion to her craft made this honor special.

“I really love teaching,” Kovats said. “I really invest a lot in my families and the community.”