In May, Steppenwolf and Fidelity Investments honored two Chicago Public School teachers – Carolyn Begley from Harlan Community Academy and Anthony V. Costa from the Roberto Clemente Community Academy – as recipients of Steppenwolf’s first-ever Inspire the Future Award.
Fidelity Investments and Steppenwolf initiated the Inspire the Future Award to honor Chicago Public School teachers who have passionately dedicated themselves to advancing theater and arts programming among youth in the Chicago community, and inspiring future generations of theater enthusiasts. The award consists of a $2,500 grant for each recipient’s school to create, expand and improve arts-integrated programming in their schools.
Carolyn Begley teaches English at Harlan Community Academy on Chicago’s South Side. Ms. Begley participated in several Steppenwolf for Young Adults Educator Workshops for the first time this year, learning a variety of theater techniques she has since employed in the classroom to teach the texts, prepare for performances and encourage active interpretation by her students. Ms. Begley described how her experience with Steppenwolf has changed the way she things about teaching: “This is the kind of teacher I want to be: the one who inspires students to think, to see the world from a different angle, and risk and try new things.”
Anthony V. Costa teaches social studies and acting at the Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Mr. Costa immersed his classroom in the Subscriber School Program that provides in-school residencies for each Steppenwolf for Young Adult production and nominated a student for the Steppenwolf Young Adult Council. Mr. Costa spoke of the unique programming that Steppenwolf for Young Adults offers to educators: “It arms them with new tools,” he explained. “Then they can return to the classroom and keep finding innovative ways to inspire their students through an exposure to the arts.”
Steppenwolf and Fidelity Investments salute these Chicago Public School teachers!