Hinsdale Central English Teacher Wins Huge National Writing Prize

Photo Credit: Wyckoff-Tweedy

Andy Jones, pictured to the left his distinctive yearbook photo from last year, just won the Norman Mailer Writing Award for High School Teachers.

Andy won this prestigious award with an essay entitled "The Inca Champions League."  It recounts an eventful hiking trip to Machu Picchu and a soccer game he played at 20,000 feet with local kids.  It's funny, serious, historically interesting, and gripping (in the soccer parts!)  At the same time it's a fascinating reflection about the value of traveling far afield.  Don't just take my word for it.  Read Andy's fabulous essay here.

Andy's award is more than a pat on the back.  The prize includes a paid trip to New York, a chance to rub shoulders with famous American writers like Billy Collins and Don DeLillo, and $5000. Read more about the award here at the award website.

Andy was a member of the Hinsdale Central English Department for six years.  This year he is continuing  his world-wide teaching odyssey with his wife and daughter.  He is currently an English teacher and basketball coach in Istambul, Turkey at Robert College.

Andy wrote a book titled Two Seasons In the Bubble: Living and Coaching Basketball in Bulgaria about a previous part of his teaching odyssey.  Read about the book here.  Read his interview with Kimberly Fornek in The Doings here.

According to the award website, "essays were judged by how well they achieve several qualities including the artful treatment of subject matter; originality; quality of insight, image, voice and style; artful arrangement of elements and materials; and overall aesthetic, emotional or intellectual effect."

This isn't Central's first recognition from this award.  Read about Hinsdale Central student success here,  here and here.

Congratulations to Andy!  I can't wait to see the next essay.