From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford on Thursday released the names of 20 teachers from Winnebago and Boone counties who are finalists for the 2023 Golden Apple Awards for excellence in teaching.
The pre-kindergarten through fifth grade teachers were chosen by a selection committee comprised of community volunteers. They whittled a long list of nominees down to the finalists.
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Here are the 20 finalists:
- Kelli Blank, Donald C. Parker Center, Machesney Park, kindergarten
- Nicole Busker, Seth Whitman Elementary, Belvidere, 2nd Grade
- Emily Daub, Ellis Elementary School, Rockford, kindergarten
- Dianna Dornink, Durand Elementary School, Durand, 4th Grade
- Crystal Ellis, Stone Creek Elementary, Roscoe, 3rd Grade
- Kelly Golich, Keith Country Day School, Rockford, junior kindergarten
- Amanda Hahn, North Boone Upper Elementary, Poplar Grove, 5th Grade
- Jelena Holcomb, STEAM Academy at Haskell, Rockford, Kindergarten
- Kimberlee Malmberg, Washington Elementary, Rockford, 3rd Grade
- Whitney Mohr, Rolling Green Elementary, Rockford, special education
- Kimberly Plaster, Galapagos Charter School, Rockford, 3rd Grade
- Chelsea Rawhoof, Pecatonica Elementary, Pecatonica, 2nd Grade
- Lisa Robinson, Rolling Green Elementary, Rockford, kindergarten
- Jennifer Rowe, Whitehead Elementary, Rockford, 4th Grade
- Mallori Sage, Whitehead Elementary, Rockford, 3rd Grade
- Sarah Shoevlin, Prairie Hill Elementary, South Beloit, 3rd Grade
- Miranda Thompson, Donald C. Parker Center, Machesney Park, kindergarten
- Michelle VanWambeke, Windsor Elementary, Loves Park, special education
- Amie Walker, Henry Bloom Elementary, Rockford, kindergarten
- Addie Wilson, Thurgood Marshall, Rockford, 2nd Grade
The finalists will be observed in their classrooms by trained community volunteers on three separate occasions between Jan. 17 and Feb. 15. The finalists are also interviewed before five teachers are chosen to receive the award during surprise classroom presentations.
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This is the Golden Apple Foundation’s 26th year. The banquet honoring teachers is slated for Friday, April 28 at the Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road.