The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning is returning to community nominations for the 36th Annual Golden Apple Program. Golden Apple is an educator recognition program that unites the community in honoring, thanking and celebrating a select cohort of teachers each school year who exemplify teaching excellence. Former nominees often report years later that they saved their nomination cards. Many are now well-worn, and the heartfelt words expressed on the thank-a-teacher nomination cards mean the world to the nominees.
Beginning August 22, we invite students, parents, and members of the community to nominate a Collier County Public School educator, including classroom teachers, Related Arts teachers, school counselors, and other educators who work with students, to be a Teacher of Distinction for the 36th annual Golden Apple Selection Process. Nominations can be submitted by one of the following methods:
• Filling out a nomination card and dropping it off or mailing it to Champions For Learning’s office (3606 Enterprise Ave, Suite 150, Naples, FL 34104).
• Filling out a nomination card and dropping it off at your school’s office.
• Completing an online submission form on Champions For Learning’s website (https://championsforlearning.org/nominate/).
Nomination cards will be available at Champions For Learning’s office and at your local school’s office. Nominations will open on August 22, 2025, and close on September 15, 2025. “Collier County Public Schools is excited to partner with Champions For Learning in bringing back community nominations for the Golden Apple Program,” said Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, District Superintendent. “As the backbone of the learning experience, our educators support and enhance student engagement every single day, and the recognition they receive from community nominations is invaluable.”
Once nominations close, Teachers of Distinction will be identified and announced to the public. Teachers of Distinction will have the opportunity to participate in the Golden Apple Selection Process. They will submit their high impact practice, which are engaging and innovative learning strategies that lead to student success, and participate in presentations and site visits with Champions For Learning’s volunteer selection committee. After careful consideration and discussion, the committee will identify the educators to be honored as the 2025-2026 Golden Apple recipients.
“By reopening the nomination process to the community, we’re shining a light on the essential partnership between educators and those they serve,” said Dr. Eric Williams, President & CEO of Champions For Learning. “The Golden Apple Program is a celebration of the transformational power of teaching—and of our shared commitment to student success.”