Elk Grove teacher wins Golden Apple

Julianne Collier of Stevenson Elementary School in Elk Grove Village joined the 2024 class of Golden Apple Award recipients for excellence in teaching Monday by impressing colleagues with her approach to helping the youngest students catch up with their peers in reading and math.

As part of the Golden Apple tradition, Collier was surprised with the award during a school assembly Monday morning attended by a contingent of Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and Golden Apple Foundation officials, as well as family and friends.

“I am so overwhelmed with gratitude,” Collier said. “I can’t thank everyone enough.”

Students and fellow teachers gathered in the school’s gym to cheer on the stunned Collier as she tearfully embraced those who came to congratulate her.

“You know she’s an amazing, amazing teacher,” Golden Apple Foundation President Alan Mather told the students. “You know she believes in you.”

“What a wonderful way to start Teacher Appreciation Week,” District 54 Superintendent Andy DuRoss added. “Thank you for being such an amazing educator!”

Collier teaches literacy and mathematics to students in kindergarten through second grade. On Monday, she thanked school administrators for challenging her with the career opportunities she’s received, and parents for trusting her with their children.

Then she turned her focus to her students.

“You know that hard work feels good and sets a foundation for your future success,” Collier told them.

With the recognition, Collier becomes a Fellow of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators and receives a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University.

Judy Tyler, who received the Golden Apple Award in 2019 at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, was one of the fellows who observed Collier’s teaching methods during a site visit.

“She takes data, literally, on every student every day,” Tyler said of Collier. “She showed me data for 90 kids. Who has the time to do that? Every kid had extensive data. Then she went home and researched how to make each one successful.”

Those methods led former high school intern Mia Parker of Schaumburg to nominate Collier for the award, and redefine her goals for her future career to be more like Collier. Parker was a senior at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates when she assisted Collier in 2022.

“She is just the most dedicated educator I have met in my entire life,” Parker said.

Mather said one of the goals of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators is to spread Collier’s approach to the job.

Collier said the approach came from following her instincts to get results. She added that Monday’s surprise honor was a reinforcement that she’s in the right place.

“I feel that I have a God-given gift to teach, and that it’s my calling,” Collier said.

But she credits others for recognizing her potential when she moved from teaching older students to helping younger pupils close achievement gaps.

“My goal is to close that gap and get them to where they should be,” Collier said.

Stevenson Principal Ken Haase agreed that Collier has an inner quality that has led to her success.

“I’ve always said Julie can teach any kid anything anywhere,” he said. “I think it’s really her passion, her drive … the way she lights up in front of students.”