The Golden Apple Foundation Honors Charter Oak Primary Academy Principal Kathleen Lopez Rodriguez as 2023 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership Recipient
CHICAGO (May 9, 2023) - The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, and honoring educators who advance educational opportunities for students, today surprised Kathleen Lopez Rodriguez, principal of Charter Oak Primary Academy in Peoria, with the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership, presented in honor of founding Golden Apple board member Stanley C. Golder.
Following a highly competitive process, Lopez Rodriguez was selected as an award recipient from more than 130 nominations of Pre-K-12th grade school leaders.
"School leaders are vital to the academic success of their students, professional growth of their teachers and elevation of all in their school community,” said Alan Mather, President of The Golden Apple Foundation. “We are honored to recognize this leader for their commitment to their students, staff and greater community, and we look forward to them joining us in working to recruit, train and guide the next generation of exceptional teachers."
As statewide awards, The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership honors exemplary performance in school leadership by a principal or head of school who has had a significant and sustained positive impact on the school, created a culture of inclusivity, and delivered dramatic student growth.
“High-impact leaders have built a culture of collaboration and respect that has led their school to academic excellence while playing a pivotal role in their community,” said Alicia Winckler, CEO of The Golden Apple Foundation. “We are honored to recognize outstanding leaders for the impact their vision, innovation and mentorship has had on their collective community of students and families.”
About Kathleen Lopez Rodriguez
Lopez Rodriguez works intentionally to raise her students’ achievement by holding high standards to learning at Charter Oak Primary School. She leads a team of teachers who have similar high expectations of themselves. Whether it’s through the morning announcements or celebrating teachers accomplishments at staff meetings, Lopez Rodriguez inspires her students and staff through her passion for learning. Lopez Rodriguez’s passion also expands beyond the classroom walls. Under her leadership, Charter Oak Primary School has established partnerships with Big Brother Big Sister of Illinois and the Peoria Humane Society to promote student connection and relationships in their surrounding community.
Recipients of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership receive a cash award of $10,000, with $5,000 for the school leader and $5,000 to the school for a project of the recipient’s choosing. 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.
The nomination period for the 2024 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 | Twitter | 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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Emily Evans
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