Teacher At Elk Grove Village School Named Golden Apple Finalist

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL — As it does annually, the Golden Apple Foundation announced Tuesday its finalists for excellence in teaching awards. Among the finalists is Julianne Collier, who teaches literacy and mathematics (kindergarten through second grade) at Adlai Stevenson Elementary School in Elk Grove Village.

According to Golden Apple, Collier is "a devoted educator who firmly believes in the potential of every child. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her continuous research into best practices and her active support of fellow educators."

In all, 30 pre-K to third-grade teachers were named finalists. The selected 2024 Golden Apple Award recipients will be announced in the spring.

"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 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching honor outstanding teachers for "having lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities," according to the nonprofit. Teacher finalists demonstrate — in their teaching and results — "significant, positive impact on their students’ growth and learning."

According to Golden Apple, Northwestern University provides a spring sabbatical to the award recipients at no cost. Each recipient will receive a $5,000 cash reward. They will also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, which is a community of educators who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs. The programs are dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.

In addition, Golden Apple said this about Collier: "Known as a teacher capable of instructing any student in any content area, Collier's instructional decisions reflect a pursuit of tailoring lessons to meet the needs of her students. Collier generously shares her knowledge and expertise with the teams she supports, ensuring that every suggestion and lesson is thoughtfully designed with a focus on students' abilities and needs. Moreover, her dedication extends to developing other educators, fostering an environment where not only the students in her class flourish, but also the new teachers she mentors. Through modeling professional behaviors, sharing research-based practices, and providing consistent support, Julianne Collier makes a lasting impact on her students and colleagues."

To learn more about the Golden Apple Foundation, visit the organization's website.