Media Teacher Dave Roush is pictured with Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza at the June Big Apple Awards Ceremony (Photo: Adrian Sanchez)
BRONX, NY – Truman High School Media Teacher David Roush was honored in May with a 2019 Big Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced the winners of the seventh annual Big Apple Awards, honoring 17 exemplary New York City public school teachers. The Big Apple Awards are a citywide recognition program open to all full-time teachers in New York City public schools. This year’s 17 recipients were selected from a record 7,100 nominations.
“I came into this job ten years ago not knowing what it was going to be like, and not knowing whether I’d be here long-term, short-term,” Roush said in an interview with News 12 the Bronx. “And after that first and second year, I never looked back.”
Several current students, alumni and other Truman employees submitted nominations in the fall of 2018. Roush was invited to go through the application process beginning in January. He was surprised by a Deputy Chancellor with the award during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
“I’m honestly grateful for being able to experience this program while he’s here,” junior Navier Patterson told News 12. “He’s more than a teacher. He’s a mentor. He’s like Yoda.”
A board of judges – comprised of DOE officials and representatives from the United Federation of Teachers and the Fund for Public Schools – selected 17 award recipients. They were honored by Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza in a formal ceremony at DOE headquarters in June.
“There are 80,000 teachers in this school system and I am standing before the 17 best and brightest in New York City,” Carranza said in his remarks at the ceremony.
Roush with Superintendent Carron Staple before being honored at Yankee Stadium
During the 2019-2020 school year, the 17 recipients will serve as Big Apple Fellows, and will have the opportunity to meet monthly with one another, becoming leaders and ambassadors for their profession. Winners will also be invited to serve on the Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Group, which meets bi-monthly and contributes to policy decisions across the DOE.
Three teachers from the Bronx received a unique surprise. They were all honored on the field at Yankee Stadium before the game on May 29th. All three were also invited to be the personal guest of Aaron Boone for another separate Yankee game. Roush, along with several students and Robotics instructor Walter Chadwick had the opportunity to meet Boone, watch the team take batting practice, enjoy dinner in the Yankee Legends Suite and watch the game from Boone’s personal seats in the Delta 360 Sky Suite behind home plate.
(L to R) Walter Chadwick, Adrian Sanchez, Yankee GM Aaron Boone, David Roush, Daniel Rohoman and Jade Reese
Read more by clicking the links below:
Chancellor Carranza Announces 2019 Big Apple Award Winners (NYC DOE)
Meet the other 2019 Big Apple Award Recipients (NYC DOE)
News 12’s Dave Roush Honored with Big Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (News 12 The Bronx)
Area Native Wins NYC Big Apple Award, Attributes Success to DuBois Teachers (The Courier-Express)
DuBois Native David Roush Receives Big Apple Award (ConnectFM Radio)