The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises Lindblom Math & Science Academy Teacher Nick Anaya with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching

CHICAGO (April 30, 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 Nick Anaya, a 8th-12th-grade teacher at  Lindblom Math & Science Academy in Chicago, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Anaya 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 Nick Anaya

With eight years of experience, Nick Anaya teaches engineering and robotics at Lindblom Math and Science Academy. Due to his strong leadership abilities, Nick has driven the expansion of the robotics program from 10 to 100 students. Recognizing the need for more resources for the program, Nick secured partnerships with local and national organizations, including EXP, PepsiCo, John Deere, Archiworks, and the Chicago Engineers' Foundation. Which have provided students with internships and hands-on learning opportunities, giving valuable insights into the different industries they study.

Having a deep understanding that each student has different learning styles, he has made it his mission to create a program that meets a wide range of students' needs. Nick had a key role in developing and implementing a competency-based education (CBE) for schools across Illinois and Chicago. CBE means the school structures the curriculum around “mastery of skill” rather than traditional time-based instruction. It allows students to work independently and move on to the next topic when they’ve fully learned the skill. 

Nick's teaching style has not only provided students with new opportunities for hands-on learning but has reshaped how engineering and robotics are taught, giving students throughout Illinois the skills and confidence needed to advance in higher education or the workforce.

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