Four Illinois Alumni were selected as finalists for the 2024 Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award.
The finalists include Alicia Carlisle, ' 11 Elementary Education, Joseph Cella, '10 Early Childhood Education, Jacqueline Colgan, '00 Early Childhood Education, and Wendy Maa, Ed.M. '11 C&I. They are among 30 Pre-K to 3rd-grade teachers who are in the running to receive the 2024 Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award.
"These finalists have shown outstanding commitment and made a positive impact on students' growth and learning, significantly contributing to their academic and personal development,” said Alan Mather, President of Golden Apple. “We are proud to honor these educators, acknowledging their crucial role in shaping the future of education and inspiring the next generation."
The selected 2024 Golden Apple Award recipients will be surprised in the spring. Northwestern University generously provides a spring sabbatical to award recipients at no cost. Each recipient receives a $5,000 cash award. Award recipients 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.
