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, spanning Winnebago and Boone counties.

Inspiring Excellence

The Golden Apple Teacher Academy, made up of past Golden Apple Award recipients (alumni), mentors local teachers and educators through professional development programs and resources.

Celebrating Excellence

Through the Golden Apple Teacher, Outstanding Principal and Jan Jones Service awards, we recognize influential community members making a positive difference in our schools and classrooms every day.

Supporting Excellence

Our Classroom Grants and Community Engagement programs enhance the collaborative partnerships between teachers, community volunteers and local businesses in order to strengthen our community’s educational system.

About Golden Apple Foundation

A volunteer-driven organization, the Golden Apple Foundation recognizes teachers and empowers them with classroom resources to improve educational outcomes in our community. We serve the students and teachers in 150 public and private schools in Winnebago and Boone counties through classroom grants, awards, training, and community engagement. In 1997, the Rockford Public Schools Foundation merged with the Community Education Foundation to form the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford. Local founders, Don Zimmerman and Dr. Richard Novak, took a common passion for education and turned it into a collective community effort by mobilizing volunteers to recognize excellence in teaching. Since then, Golden Apple has been inspiring, celebrating and supporting educational excellence in public and private schools in Winnebago and Boone counties through our core programs: Awards & Recognition, Teacher Scholarships, Classroom Grants, the Teacher Academy and Community Engagement. We operate entirely on the generous financial support of community businesses and individuals as well as the more than 400 volunteers who donate their time and effort to make our programs successful each year.

Meet Our Team

Jennifer Stark

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kathi Edwards

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Executive Committee

J. Earl Wilsey, Schmeling Construction

BOARD CHAIR and CHAIR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Millard Washington, Crusader Health

TREASURER

Nellie Miller, SupplyCore

CHAIR-ELECT, CO-CHAIR - COMMUNICATIONS

Directors

RuthAnn Bates, Ivy House Creative Cafe

Katie Butchart, Associated Bank

Chris Davenport, CoyleKiley Insurance Agency Inc.

Lynn Gibson

Kyle Keith, Collins Aerospace

Heather Kelley, Rock Valley College

Casey Lester, Field Fastener

Nellie Miller, SupplyCore

John J. Morrissey, Morrissey Family Businesses

Patty Stadelman, WTVO/WQRF

Paul VonDriska, Bergstrom

Rachel Vonderheide, Rock Valley College Foundation

Frank Walter

Mills Washington, Crusader Health

Haiwei Yuan, Hard Rock Casino Rockford

Brad Zimmerman, Zimmerman Home Builders/Gambino Realtors

Teacher Academy Representatives

Linda Julian

Gaby Nunez-Reagan

Emeritus Directors

Teresa J. Ingrassia

Dan Loescher

Richard Novak, M.D.

David Thompson

Don Zimmerman

R. Ray Wood