The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises Julia S. Molloy Education Center Teacher Jerika Gill with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching

CHICAGO (May 11, 2026) -  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 Jerika Gill, a 4th through 8th-grade teacher  at Julia S. Molloy Education Center in Morton Grove, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Gill is one of 10 teacher award recipients in Illinois. 

Following a highly competitive process, the 2026 teaching award recipients were selected from nearly 600 nominations of 4th-8th-grade teachers. 

“Great teaching shapes how students learn, grow, and see what’s possible for their future,” said Alan Mather, President of The Golden Apple Foundation. “This year’s recipients are making that impact every day through their commitment to their students and their craft. As they join the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, they will support and mentor aspiring teachers in The Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators Program in Illinois, helping strengthen future teachers across the state.”

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 Jerika Gill

At Julia S. Molloy Education Center, Jerika Gill teaches fourth through eighth-grade students who many schools struggle to serve, and she is changing their trajectories. She utilizes Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Functional Communication Training (FCT) to replace reactive discipline with skill-building. For example, she reduced a student's challenging episodes from 12 per day to 2–3 by teaching them to use an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to request a break.

Her influence reaches her colleagues as well. Jerika regularly mentors staff and models trauma-informed practices that help adults respond more effectively to student needs. When a classroom aide struggled with a student’s communication device, she created a “cheat sheet” and coached the aide rather than faulting the aide or the student, reducing student frustration and building confidence across the team.

Jerika believes students with disabilities should be visible and valued members of their communities. She designs real-world learning experiences, including a student-led recycling initiative where her class taught the school proper sorting using communication devices. In a district serving families who speak more than 50 languages, parents describe her as “part of the family,” a teacher who listens and fiercely believes in students whom others too often underestimate.

Each award recipient receives a $5,000 cash award and a paid spring sabbatical, with Northwestern University generously providing coursework 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 2027 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership is open. All are invited to nominate exceptional Pre-K-3rd-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.

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