ALBANY PARK — On Wednesday, Cynthia Lira-Crame received the email she'd been hoping for since February — her husband Fitzgerald Crame, a teacher at Edison Regional Gifted Center, had been selected as a 2017 Golden Apple Award recipient.
One problem: She had to keep the secret from her spouse until the big reveal on Thursday afternoon.
"I tried not to be around him," said Lira-Crame. "I got tips from co-workers — 'Stop smiling so much.'"
The subterfuge paid off as Crame, known as "Fitz" to colleagues, was completely surprised when a camera crew, followed by a slew of family members and friends, burst into his classroom Thursday to announce the award, which recognizes excellence in teaching.
"Should I pinch you?" a student asked the visibly moved Crame.
After hugging his wife and daughters Isabella, 14, and Olivia, 12, Crame declared himself "grateful" and celebrated what he said was as much an award for his students as himself.
"I make them a promise on Day One, 'This is going to be the best school year of your life,'" he said.
Crame, 44, has taught at Edison Regional Gifted Center, 4929 N. Sawyer Ave., for four years, and spent 15 years at Norwood Park Elementary prior to that.
Edison Regional principal Karen Valentine nominated him for the Golden Apple Award, citing "how creative and courageous children become in his care."
"Fitz is one of the most incredible educators I've ever had the privilege to work with," Valentine said.
Graham McKay, whose daughter Lily is one of Crame's current students, called the teacher the "most inspirational" he'd ever encountered.
"He gets them fired up. He lets them use their imagination to learn," said McKay. "You walk into the classroom and you feel the energy and excitement."
Lira-Crame said her husband makes an effort to figure out what motivates and inspires each student, and then personalizes his instruction "to get them to want to learn."
"He sees what makes that child tick," she said. "He has a gift for making every child feel special."
Crame grew up in Logan Square and graduated from Mozart Elementary and Lane Tech, which is where he met his wife, 27 years ago, in chemistry class. They live in Galewood with their children.
Though teaching seems to come naturally to Crame, he originally studied medicine and nursing.
It was while visiting a school to provide inoculations to kindergartners that Crame discovered his calling.
It turned out he had what he terms a "mutant talent" for connecting with youngsters, and he decided to "use those powers for good" and engage in the learning process, Crame said.
Now that he's been recognized as one of the best in his profession, Crame said he has no intention of resting on his laurels.
"This is inspiration to be better," he said of the Golden Apple Award.
"What I'd like to see my career take on," he added, "is to help grow teachers, to have them appreciate the art of teaching."
Ten teachers, chosen from a pool of 34 finalists, were honored with 2017 Golden Apple Awards. More than 600 educators were nominated — representing fourth- through eighth-grade teachers in Chicago and its suburbs.
Honorees receive a $5,000 cash award as well as a tuition-free, spring quarter sabbatical to study at Northwestern University.
