• Becoming a Scholar
• Teaching Scholars
• Gate Consultancy

• Workshops & Seminars
• Teaching Excellence Center

• Academy
• Academy Directory
• Teachers of Distinction
• Golden Apple Central Illinois

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Expands University Network

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Expands University Network to Support Future Teachers

(Chicago - January, 2001) — The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program announces new partnerships with three universities and colleges throughout Illinois. These three institutions join 35 current partners to recruit and prepare high school students to become teachers in schools of need. The program has worked with more than 500 students over 12 years helping them to work toward the goal of becoming a teacher. The new partners are:

• Partner University/ City
• Concordia University/ River Forest, IL
• Lewis University/ Romeoville, IL
• University of Illinois/ Springfield, IL

Responding to the growing need for both more Illinois teachers and more minorities in the teaching profession, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program focuses on the recruitment of minority students to become teachers. Currently, 58% of Golden Apple Scholars are minorities, including 27% who are black and 22% are Hispanic. Additionally, 57% of Golden Apple Scholars come from families whose income is classified as either very low or low-income.

In February, 2001, one hundred Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois will be selected. Nominees are selected through application materials and interviews. Through the program, Scholars select one of the 38 partner colleges and universities to attend. In exchange, the Golden Apple Foundation provides total financial support of $28,000 for tuition.

In addition, the Foundation provides teaching experience through four Summer Institutes. The Summer Institutes place Scholars in actual classrooms to work with teachers and interact with children, learning to observe and reflect upon teaching circumstances. Scholars also receive additional training through seminars and classes offered by Golden Apple. The four Summer Institutes provide Scholars with more than three times the amount of classroom and field experience -- prior to student teaching -- than they would otherwise receive.

All Golden Apple Foundation programs were created and include participation by Golden Apple Award-winning teachers. Founded in 1985 by venture capitalist Martin J. "Mike" Koldyke, the Golden Apple Foundation is committed to teacher recognition, recruitment and renewal. For more information about the Scholars program, contact the Golden Apple Foundation at (312) 407-0006.