Golden Apple Foundation names 20 finalists for annual teacher awards

December 14, 2023|By Rock River Current|In Trending, Local, Rockford
The Golden Apple Foundation has released the names of 20 finalists for next year’s award. (Image via Golden Apple Foundation)
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Golden Apple Foundation has released the names of 20 teachers from Winnebago and Boone counties who are finalists for the 2024 Golden Apple Teacher Awards.

The sixth through 12th grade teachers were selected by a volunteer committee after the foundation started with a list of 1,400 nominees.

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The finalists will be observed in their classrooms by trained volunteers on four occasions between Jan. 16 and Feb. 14 before interviews are conducted with the teachers.

The process culminates in the selection of five teachers who will be surprised in their classrooms on March 7 with a Golden Apple Award.

Each winning teacher receives a cash award, a professional development stipend and a Rockford University scholarship.

They are also inducted into the Golden Apple Teacher Academy, where they provide professional development training and mentoring to both new and veteran teachers.

Golden Apple Foundation is celebrating its 27th year honoring educators in Winnebago and Boone counties. The annual Golden Apple Banquet recognizing Excellence in Education will be held Friday, April 26.

The 20 finalists are:

  • Bethany Austin, Guilford High School, Rockford (art)
  • Amy Avery, Guilford High School, Rockford (Spanish)
  • David Bardwell, Jefferson High School, Rockford (biology)
  • Aubrey Barnett, Flinn Middle School, Rockford (English language arts)
  • Amanda Becker, Auburn High School, Rockford (history)
  • Leann Burmeister-Juliano, Belvidere North High School (English language arts)
  • Michael Davis, Kennedy Middle School, Rockford (special education)
  • Jessica Full, Belvidere High School, (algebra/calculus)
  • Brooke Harp, Holy Family School, Rockford (literature)
  • Alex Hartz, Hononegah Community High School, Rockton (algebra/calculus)
  • Molly Kettelhut, Galapagos Rockford Charter School (English language arts and social studies)
  • Teresa Kruger, Belvidere North High School, (social studies)
  • Yuri Moctezuma, Belvidere South Middle School (social studies)
  • Timothy Perian, Harlem High School, Machesney Park (music)
  • Kathleen Podraza, North Boone High School, Poplar Grove (English)
  • Marianna Ruggerio, Auburn High School, Rockford (physics)
  • Ariana Sanders, Belvidere High School (social studies)
  • Chelsea Spinello-Johnson, Marshall Middle School, Rockford (literature/publications)
  • Jeremy Toledo, Harlem High School, Machesney Park (choir, guitar, drama)
  • Cara Wolfe, Flinn Middle School, Rockford (English language arts)