Chicago teacher honored with Golden Apple Award

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago teacher is honored for performing above and beyond her role in the classroom.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel surprised Monica Prinz at Gillespie Elementary on the South Side with her Golden Apple Award. The first grade teacher is one of several across the Chicago area who will receive the award this week.

Prinz says she left a career in healthcare to work with children, which is her passion.

"I did six months at another school and I've been here for 9 and a half so, I'm very pleased to be here. I really feel like this is my extended family, my second home," Prinz said.

Prinz receives a $5,000 cash award and a tuition-free spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University.