Golden Apple Scholars
Better-Prepared Teachers for Schools that Need Them the Most
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program recruits and prepares a diverse group of bright and talented high school graduates and college sophomores who have the promise for successful careers as excellent teachers in high-need schools throughout Illinois. Studies show that there is a shortage of qualified, enthusiastic teachers entering the profession, and a particular shortage of minority and bilingual teachers. Students need teachers who have similar backgrounds and experiences to serve as role models and give them the hope of a promising future.
Through the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois, we identify talented future educators and help them achieve their dreams of teaching. We prepare them for immediate and lasting success in some of the most challenging teaching environments. Recent studies have confirmed the effectiveness of the program. In a survey of principals with one or more Scholars teaching in their schools, more than three-quarters of respondents rated the Golden Apple Scholars as Definitely or Somewhat more effective than their tradtionally prepared peers across a wide array of teaching characteristics, including preparation, lesson planning, professionalism, and fostering a positive learning environment.
Golden Apple Scholars gain essential early exposure to the challenges and triumphs of teaching in a high-needs setting. Scholars build invaluable networks of support that continue into their teaching years. More than 1,100 Golden Apple Scholars are teaching or on their way to teaching in Chicago and throughout Illinois, and 93 percent of our Scholars have remained in classrooms at disadvantaged schools beyond the five-year commitment required by the program.
Selection
Golden Apple ensures the quality of Scholars through a rigorous selection process. Prospective Scholars must submit an application with seven essays, letters of reference, test scores and transcripts, and must interview at the finalist stage.Preparation
While attending college, Scholars receive advanced teacher preparation during four Summer Institutes that provide in total more than three times the amount of classroom experience prior to student teaching than non-Scholars receive.Financial Support
All Golden Apple Scholars receive tuition assistance of $2,500 per year for four years, paid directly to the Scholar's undergraduate institution.Scholars must attend one of 53 Illinois colleges and universities that participate in the program. Scholars chosen when they are college sophomores receive the scholarship for two years.