Four local teachers are among 20 finalists for the 2026 Golden Apple Foundation Award
Four of the twenty Golden Apple finalists teach Grades 6-12 in Roscoe, Rockton and South Beloit schools
This year, the Golden Apple Award Foundation celebrates educators in grades 6 through 12 throughout Winnebago County. Four of the twenty finalists teach at South Beloit schools: Roscoe Middle School, Willowbrook Middle School, and Hononegah Community High School.
The Golden Apple Excellence in Education Foundation in Rockford began in 1986. The program was designed to recognize outstanding teachers and leaders in school districts across the United States. The program has grown every year and now includes recognizing outstanding teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools in Winnebago and Boone County. Initially, the program was limited to public schools in the Rockford area. It now includes schools throughout Winnebago and Boone Counties.
Teachers are nominated by students, parents, and fellow teachers. A committee of trained community volunteers selects 20 finalists. The next step in the process is observing the teachers in their classrooms on three separate occasions in January and February, followed by individual interviews. The process culminates in the selection of five teachers who will be awarded a Golden Apple during a surprise classroom visit in March. The presentations will be featured by WTVO/Fox, The Rockford Register Star, and Rockton Roscoe News.
Hayley Goetzsche teaches music and theater at Willowbrook Middle School in South Beloit. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and received a master's degree from Western Illinois University. She has been married for eight years and has a young daughter. Hayley loves sharing her love of music, especially the children's choir and theater for children in her 6th- 8th grade classes. "Music gave me confidence when I was a child. It can help everyone." Hayley also directs Stateline Area Youth Singers. The group meets after school, once a month. She is about to launch The Broadway Club, a new after-school club featuring theater and music. In addition to teaching, she is the choir director at Church Street Congregational/ First Presbyterian Church in Rockford. "I love music, and I love the opportunity to teach at Willowbrook School."
Amy Kuo teaches global studies, career readiness, and English as a Second Language at Roscoe Middle School and Kinnikinnick School. Amy grew up in Stockton, Illinois. Both of her parents were teachers."My parents were great role models for me." Amy is a graduate of Bradley University and has a master's degree from Michigan State University. She is married and the mother of two children. She has been teaching for 16 years, nine years in the Kinnikinnick School District. She teaches English as a Second Language. She uses a variety of technical learning tools, including Google Translate. Tools can be tailored to the student's needs. In addition to teaching the children, she also works with their families. Amy values the connections with both the students and their parents. The children often become interpreters for their families. "I love teaching and the opportunity to better children's lives."
Dana Freedlund teaches 6th-grade English and Language Arts at Roscoe Middle School. She has been teaching for 31 years, including 29 years at RMS. Dana grew up in Rockton, and attended Stephen Mack Middle School and Hononegah High School. She is married and the mother of two grown children. Dana is also a reading specialist at Roscoe Middle School. "I was a struggling student growing up. My teachers understood and helped me a lot." Dana has an undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and a master's degree in reading from Northern Illinois University. “I see my job is finding the best way to discover what works for each student. My job is to find the best way to discover what works for each student,“ she says. "Kids want to be successful and are eager to learn. I try to give them both challenges and rewards. I am so blessed to be here and honored to be part of their progress."
Kelsey Zammuto, a graduate of Hononegah Community High School, returned to the school as the Honors Chemistry and environmental science teacher about nine years ago. Previously, she taught for six years at Guilford High School in Rockford. She is a graduate of Rockford College and earned a master's degree from Concordia College in Chicago. Kelsey teaches five classes at Hononegah. She started college with the intention of becoming a medical doctor, but changed her mind and decided to become a teacher. "Teaching offered me a better life/work balance." Kelsey lives in Roscoe and is married to Peter Zammuto. They are parents of three children. "I love Hononegah and building relationships with my students. The student- to-teacher ratio is great." Kelsey was nominated by Emilee McKiski, a student at Hononegah. She is excited about being nominated and completing the Golden Apple process.
The 2026 Golden Apple Foundation Awards banquet, honoring outstanding teachers in Winnebago County, will be held April 24, 2026, at Tebala Event Center, Rockford, Illinois. Each recipient will receive $1,000 from Members Alliance Credit Union and the Golden Apple Foundation, a $500 professional development stipend from the Regional Office of Education, an electronic tablet from Entre Computer Solutions, a Rockford University scholarship, and induction into the Golden Apple Teachers Academy.
