U-High Teacher Among Finalists for Prestigious Award

 A history teacher at University High School is a finalist for the Golden Apple Award (Photo Courtesy Anthony Ferretti/WZND).

NORMAL – Every teacher deserves an apple, but only a few receive a golden apple.

Bob Fitzgerald is among 32 finalists for this award that is given annually to an individual in Illinois for their excellence in teaching. Fitzgerald said he is humbled to receive this honor.

“I’m blessed to teach in the school that allows us opportunities to grow and develop personally and professionally,” said Fitzgerald. “I’m blessed to teach young people that have a desire to learn and grow.”

A proud graduate of U-High in 1992, Fitzgerald’s passion for teaching came from his teachers at the time. He looked up to them and he added that they became “lifelong mentors”, such as his history teachers and coaches.

Fitzgerald got his degree in History Education from ISU in 1997. From there, he taught at Olympia High School until 2002 and has been teaching at his alma mater ever since.

“I’m blessed to teach in a department with a fantastic group of educators who are friends and colleagues and scholars and intellectuals that I think of on a daily basis,” said Fitzgerald. “We aspire one another in many ways.”

Fitzgerald continues to inspire high school students in the classroom through his passion for history, similarly to how his teachers inspired him.