PILSEN — After decades in the classroom, a Pilsen principal was surprised with a Golden Apple award last week.
Known as a principal who "rolls up his sleeves" and gets involved in the classroom, Ruiz Elementary School Principal Dana Butler was honored with the 2016 Stanley C. Golder Award for Excellence in Leadership at an assembly Friday.
Parents have praised Butler as an approachable problem solver who holds students to high standards and challenges teachers to improve while serving as their strongest supporter, according to Dominic Belmonte, Golden Apple CEO.
“Strong school leadership is critical to creating an environment of learning and growing for students and teachers alike,” Belmonte said. “Dana is a shining example of the positive difference that exceptional leadership makes in education."
More than 92 percent of Ruiz Elementary students, a fine and performing arts magnet school in Pilsen, are considered low-income and nearly 30 percent are learning to speak English.
As part of the award, Butler will receive $10,000 to be used for his own professional development and a school project of his choosing.
Butler was one of two Near West Side educators to win a Golden Apple awards this year. Whitney Young High School science teacher Todd Katz was surprised with the award earlier this month.
In total, 11 educators were honored with 2016 Golden Apple awards.
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