Celebrating 25 Years of Supporting Excellence in Teaching
Golden Apple began in 1985 with one couple and a shared inspiration — to offer outstanding schoolteachers the level of recognition enjoyed by actors at the Academy Awards. Martin and Patricia Koldyke (Mike and Pat) quickly secured the interest and partnership of Chicago public television station WTTW and Northwestern University. In 1986, the first Golden Apple Awards ceremony broadcast the exceptional work of 10 Chicago teachers.
In the decades that followed, Golden Apple has grown into an institution that continues to recognize gifted teachers, and also prepares and strengthens teachers who make a critical difference in the lives of all children, with a special emphasis on those teaching children from disadvantaged schools.
Golden Apple’s successful track record now spans 25 years. Outstanding, passionate educators — Golden Apple Award winners and finalists — lead a small staff of dedicated employees with functional and program expertise. A connected and committed Board of Directors oversees Golden Apple’s strategic direction.
Together with the larger community of expert educators who have been touched by Golden Apple, we work to ensure that all Illinois children have the excellent teachers they deserve.
Community, business, and government leaders, including the State of Illinois and its top universities, recognize Golden Apple for its longstanding record of accomplishment.
Over the past two and a half decades, the organization has grown and expanded, but always stayed true to its mission:
Because all children deserve excellent teachers, Golden Apple advances the teaching profession by:
Recognizing excellent teachers
Leveraging their thinking and efforts to improve education
Recruiting and preparing prospective teachers with a special emphasis on schools of need
Providing teachers access to innovative resources
Today, Golden Apple offers innovative, integrated solutions, including the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program, which provides financial assistance and advanced teacher preparation to promising, passionate young people, and a wealth of professional development programs, in addition to continuing to honor excellence in teaching through the Golden Apple Awards.