The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises Clare Woods Academy Teacher James Rowe with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching
CHICAGO (May 5, 2025) - The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring, and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, today surprised James Rowe, a 11th and 12th grade teacher at Clare Woods Academy in Wheaton, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Rowe is one of 11 teacher award recipients in Illinois.
Following a highly competitive process, the 2025 teaching award recipients were selected from more than 470 nominations of 9th-12th-grade teachers.
"Exceptional teachers ignite curiosity, build confidence, and create pathways to lifelong success for their students," said Alan Mather, President of The Golden Apple Foundation. "The educators we honor today exemplify teaching at its finest. They blend passion with expertise and innovation with compassion. As they join our community of excellence, these individuals will help us strengthen the teaching profession across Illinois, inspiring and mentoring emerging educators who will shape countless young minds for generations to come."
The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities. Teacher recipients demonstrate, in their teaching and results, a significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning. \
About James Rowe
James Rowe teaches special education for 11th and 12th graders at Clare Woods Academy in Wheaton, Illinois. With 25 years of teaching experience, he creates a dynamic learning environment tailored to the needs of his students.
His classroom is a hands-on, immersive space where students engage with science and literacy through interactive and real-world applications. He teaches physics, biology, and earth science on a three-year cycle, using a cyclical approach that ensures students grasp foundational concepts, including assessment, planning, and implementation.
James integrates supportive and resilience-building teaching into his classroom, applying strategies from professional development workshops to create a safe and supportive environment. His approach helps students understand and manage their emotions, build resilience, and gain confidence in overcoming challenges.
He incorporates community engagement by organizing field trips to local libraries and museums, providing students with experiences that connect classroom lessons to their everyday world.
James fosters a supportive and uplifting school environment. Each morning, he decorates his vehicle with stuffed animals, creating a moment of joy for students as they arrive and reinforcing the importance of a positive start to the day. Colleagues admire his ability to connect with students, instill confidence, and create an environment where they feel valued and supported.
Each award recipient receives a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University at no cost. Award recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a community of educators who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs, which are dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.
The nomination period for the 2026 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership is open. All are invited to nominate exceptional 4th-8th grade teachers and Pre-K-12th grade school leaders in Illinois at www.goldenapple.org/awards.
Golden Apple’s social media channels will feature surprises for each of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership recipients. Follow the news here: Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn.
About The Golden Apple Foundation
The Golden Apple Foundation’s mission is to inspire, develop and support teacher and school leader excellence, especially in schools-of-need. Our leading-edge preparation delivers exceptional teachers who make an impact. We help students thrive in the classroom and in life. Since our beginning, we have recognized master educators annually; and, these master educators help prepare the next generation of teachers through both our Golden Apple Scholars (for undergraduates) and Golden Apple Accelerators (for career-changers) programs. Our vision is one in which every classroom has a great teacher and to realize this, we are committed to making a material difference in resolving the teacher shortage. Visit http://www.goldenapple.org for more information.
Media contact:
Emily Evans
(937) 206-6039
emilye@theharbingergroup.com