McHenry High School teacher selected as finalist for Golden Apple Award

McHenry High School teacher Otto Corzo was selected as a finalist for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Golden Apple Foundation, an Illinois nonprofit committed to supporting educators who advance educational opportunities for students.

Corzo, who teaches Spanish for Heritage, is among 30 nominees for the foundation’s annual award thanks to his advocacy for traditionally underrepresented groups, especially English language learner students, according to a news release.

Corzo places additional emphasis on creating a sense of community in his classroom by offering students opportunities to understand, honor and accept the differences that exist within the micro-community of his classroom, the school said in the release.

“Success is not the finish line. Success is the journey,” Corzo said of his methodology in the classroom. “Success is a process, not a product.”