"A Teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. Henry Brooks Adams."

Teachers play a vital role in the lives of our children. The purpose of the Golden Apple Awards Program is to recognize excellence in the teaching profession and to inform the public of the exceptional quality of instruction on the Joplin community. It is also an opportunity to recognize the importance of education and the tremendous resource we have in our teaching professionals! How often do we regret our failure to praise someone for a job well done, or thank someone for the positive influence they had on our lives? This is the community's opportunity to recognize a teacher for his or her outstanding contribution to the teaching profession.

Award Categories

One teacher is honored in each of the following four categories:
Kindergarten-Second Grade (K-2)
Third-Fifth Grade (3-5)
Sixth-Eighth Grade (6-8)
Ninth-Twelfth Grade (9-12)

Eligibility

All nominees must be a certified classroom teacher who instructs students on a daily basis, teaching at any grade level from kindergarten through grade twelve. All nominees must be teaching during the current school year in a public or private school in Joplin. Previous recipients of the award are not eligible.

Nomination Process

Every student in a Joplin public or private school is given a nomination form. Along with the completed nomination form, a support letter from the student and the parent is required. For K-2 nominations, a student letter is encouraged but not mandatory. In the nomination letters, state why you feel the teacher you nominate should be a candidate for the Golden Apple Award. Include how the teacher affected a particular student or situation, the teacher's professionalism, the teacher's activities in and beyond the classroom and the teacher's ability to instill in his/her students the desire to do their best and to reach their full learning potential.

Judging Criteria

The most important consideration in evaluating the nominated teachers is the ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to reach their full potential through the educational process. All nominated teachers will be asked to complete an information sheet which outlines their experience and teaching philosophies. This information, along with nomination support letters, will be reviewed by a judging panel comprised of community volunteers and the finalists will be brought in for a personal interview conducted by a different set of judges.

All nominees are recognized at an evening reception and the finalists are guests at the Annual Banquet where the four Award winners are announced.

For more information, contact Cary Beasley, JACC.