2023 Golden Apple Award Finalists

Whitney Mohr of Machesney Park has been teaching for 27 years, the past four in a 2nd through 5th grade self-contained class for children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities at Rockford’s Rolling Green.

Kimberlee Malmberg of Rockford has spent her 30-year career in her “dream job,” teaching third grade at Washington Elementary.

Jelena Holcomb of Rockford has been teaching for 19 years, the past three at the STEAM Academy at Haskell, where she teaches Kindergarten.

Amanda Hahn of Poplar Grove has taught at North Boone Upper Elementary the past four of her 18 years of teaching. She teaches Fifth Grade Reading and Language, co-teaching with a special education teacher.

Kelly Golich of Rockford teaches junior Kindergarten (four year-olds) at Rockford’s Keith School. She’s been there 15 of her 28 years of teaching.

Dianna Dornink of Rock City has taught all 12 years of her teaching career at Durand Elementary, currently teaching fourth grade.

Nicole Busker of Belvidere has been teaching for 12 years. She’s in her fourth year at Seth Whitman Elementary, where she teaches second grade science, social studies and writing.

A past nominee, Kelli Blank is now being observed in her Kindergarten class at Harlem District’s Donald C. Parker Center as a Golden Apple Finalist.