The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises Lake View High School Teacher Kathleen Mahoney with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching

CHICAGO (May 1, 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 Kathleen Mahoney, a 11th-12th-grade teacher at Lake View High School in Chicago, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mahoney 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 Kathleen Mahoney 

Lake View High School, Special Education Civics teacher Kathleen Mahoney created a classroom environment where her students don't just study government; they actually experience it. Through Kathleen's work with Project Soapbox, a public speaking program designed by the Mikva Challenge, she inspires her students to research, write, and deliver speeches on issues that matter to them. Instead of having her students present their speeches in class, they present them at the school showcase and later at the citywide Mikva showcase, helping students build confidence and learn how to express their ideas.

Kathleen also leads an internal participatory budgeting project, allowing her students to develop ideas for spending school funds on internal improvements. They then directly vote on school improvements, and students present their ideas to a panel of adults and the entire student body.

Her commitment to civic engagement also includes the Next Gen City Council Program, where she connects students with Chicago officials to research real issues, draft policy proposals, and present solutions. As part of the program, students participate in a mock city council meeting, debating and voting on their proposals. The winning proposal is then formally presented to the City Council.  Additionally, Kathleen is involved with Parade to the Polls,  a program that helps students understand the voting process.

Kathleen's teaching philosophy gives students real-world opportunities to engage, lead, and create change in their communities.

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.

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Emily Evans

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emilye@theharbingergroup.com