More than 1,000 Illinois State University students have been inducted into the Golden Apple Scholars Program in Illinois, making it the most successful Golden Apple program in the state where it all started.
This fall, 135 newly inducted Illinois State University scholars were welcomed into the program that produces teachers for low-income schools.
“Golden Apple is a program that works,” said Dr. Barbara Meyer, associate professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, and faculty advisor for ISU’s Golden Apple Scholars registered service organization. “Its helped keep teachers in the field of education and most stay in those schools of need instead of transferring to a school that is more financially stable or that is not as diverse.”
ISU Golden Apple scholars have worked in more than 340 schools in 150 districts. There are 850 alumni teaching in schools of need.
“Everybody is seeking them out,” Meyer said. “It’s like having second-year teachers rather than first-year because of all the experience they’ve had in the classroom.”
Scholars commit to teaching five years in an Illinois low-income school within the first seven years of teaching.
Golden Apple is a teacher preparation and tuition assistance program for high school seniors and freshmen and sophomore Illinois college students who plan on teaching in low-income schools. After high school graduation, scholars attend a summer program, and a summer institute the following three years, gaining classroom and mentoring experience.
The summer programs give scholars the opportunity to be mentored by cooperating teachers while working in K-12 summer school programs across the state. Scholars receive financial assistance throughout the school year and are paid to attend the summer institute.
Senior elementary education major Rylee Calzavara is president of ISU’s Golden Apple Scholars RSO. She became a scholar when she transferred to ISU as a sophomore.
“We have so much support as scholars,” she said. “We get a (Golden Apple) mentor our first year of teaching and we have access to them throughout our career. They help you plan for your entry into your first year of teaching, too.”
The RSO has a monthly meeting, social activities, and professional development opportunities, as well as community service projects, from food drives to supporting nursing home residents. The goal is to build a sense of community among scholars, Calzavara said.
At monthly professional development meetings, classroom teachers and College of Education faculty meet with the students.
“They talk about classroom management, first-year teacher tips, cross-curricular management,” she said. “We ask scholars what they want to hear about, so we make sure it’s engaging and interesting to them.”
The RSO is also bringing back the Golden Apple formal, set for October 12 in the Brown Ballroom in Bone Student Center. It’s been at least five years since a formal was held, she said. Scholars from other university chapters will be invited.
As one of the first universities to have a Golden Apple RSO, chapters and colleges across the state are reaching out to ISU for guidance.
“Other universities are reaching out to us for inspiration, which we love,” Calzavara said. “We want scholars to feel supported. Golden Apple is for the most dedicated education majors. These scholars are so passionate about giving back to low-income schools and giving back to their communities. If people can come to our meetings or socials and not feel so alone and feel they’re in a community of people who have the same passion, that’s all we could hope for. And we can have fun, too.”
Meyer applauded the leadership of the student organization.
“Golden Apple has very strong leadership. The students run the organization. I’m there to give them guidance and to find professional development opportunities.”
Scholars receive up to $23,000 in financial assistance for college, academic and social-emotional support, faculty mentoring, job placement assistance, and extensive classroom teaching experience. Applications are due in February, with interviews in the spring and acceptance in May.
For more information on Golden Apple at ISU, follow the RSO on Instagram @goldenappleisu.
