The Golden Apple Foundation Surprises Northwest Elementary School Teacher Shavon Brewer with Prestigious Award for Excellence in Teaching
CHICAGO (May 14, 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 Shavon Brewer, a 5th-grade teacher at Northwest Elementary School in Evergreen Park, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Brewer 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 Shavon Brewer
At Northwest Elementary School, one fifth-grade math teacher is working to make a difference. At the beginning of the school year, Shavon Brewer noticed that many of her students struggled with confidence in math and that anxiety often hindered participation and growth.
As Brewer explains, “I believe that effective teaching begins with understanding northwest what my students know, planning intentionally to meet their needs, implementing instruction that allows for exploration and discussion, and using ongoing assessments to refine my next steps.”
Recognizing that a traditional approach was not enough, Brewer adjusted her instruction to better meet students’ needs. Instead of relying on one-size-fits-all lessons, Brewer uses assessment and flexible grouping to tailor instruction to her students. She prioritizes discussion, hands-on learning, and multiple problem-solving strategies.
One example of Brewer’s approach is her teaching of multi-digit multiplication. She begins with a pre-assessment, then groups students based on their understanding rather than their answers. Students solve the same problem using multiple strategies, including area models, partial products, and the standard algorithm, and explain their reasoning to classmates so they understand why the math works, not just how to follow steps.
That focus has translated into measurable results. According to school data, Brewer’s students demonstrated above-average academic growth, with a median growth percentile of 75 in math. The results reflect the impact of instruction that emphasizes understanding, flexibility, and student confidence.
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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