Welcome To Golden Apple Foundation
We are a volunteer-driven organization that inspires, celebrates and supports educational excellence in our community. Since 1997, the Golden Apple Foundation has grown from honoring teachers in one school district to honoring teachers, principals and volunteers in more than 150 schools, both public and non-public, in Winnebago and Boone counties.
The Foundation operates entirely on the generous financial support of community businesses and individuals, as well as the more than 400 volunteers who donate their time and energy to make our programs successful.
Our Programs
The Golden Apple Foundation continues its mission of educational excellence
in our community through our four core programs.
Upcoming Dates
Jan. 17, 2023
Volunteers will be observing our 20 Finalists in their “natural habitats” in their classrooms between Jan. 17 and Feb. 15. This is the next step in the selection process to name the five Golden Apple Teacher Award recipients for 2023.
Feb. 9, 2023
McDonald’s and Golden Apple treat the 20 Finalists to breakfast and fill them in about interviews coming up on Feb. 11!
March 1, 2023
Nominations for the Golden Apple Outstanding Principal award sponsored by McDonald’s are due by 5 p.m.!
News
2022-2023 Golden Apple Teacher Finalists Announced
2022-2023 Golden Apple Teacher Nominees
Get Involved
We need volunteers to continue our mission! Learn more about our committees and the many ways you can help, including fund development, special events, grants and more!
Teacher Academy
Through the Golden Apple Teacher Academy where Golden Apple teachers mentor and share their knowledge with other teachers through our professional development programs.
![Dianna Dornink of Rock City has taught all 12 years of her teaching career at Durand Elementary, currently teaching fourth grade. She wants “students to feel safe in the classroom and feel confident in coming to [her] for help with academics or social concerns.” In one case, she learned that a student wasn’t getting all needs met at home: guardian worked a late shift and guardian’s partner doesn’t care for kids. This student wasn’t getting breakfast or one-on-one care from an adult. Diana worked with the school social worker to cover those needs at school so this issue wouldn’t need to prevent academic success or confidence. Because students learn in different ways and paces, Diana differentiates student work and tells students at the start of the school year that everyone is working on the same skill, just slightly differently. Dianna is comfortable being an example for students. She will share her personal struggles to show how one can overcome obstacles. She collaborates with coworkers, showing them “how to communicate, support, and positively work together with someone.” Observers praised Dianna for her upbeat, cheerful nature and communication with students. This finalist is used to long days, getting to school early and staying late to meet students if they need tutoring, test prep or just a sympathetic listener. Teaching partner, Dawn Hart, says that Dianna is always “seeking ways to have fun with her students and make school a place her students want to be. Dianna has high expectations of her students, but she also thrives on the learning process and making mistakes as part of learning.” #goldenappleofrockford #finalists](https://goldenappleofrockford.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Next chance to catch #AirAedan doing things like this is 7:15 tonight @ Jefferson. #RelentlessFight
There's a few days left to register for this #trauma workshop with @kevin_polky. Join @BWROE4 online https://bit.ly/coping020823 for this morning sesh!
#ROE4learning #coping #WellnessWednesday
