Rockford, IL — Guilford High School teacher Bryce Thomas told his mother he was sure he hadn’t won a Golden Apple.
Presenters of the award had, after all, stopped at Rockford Christian and then bypassed Guilford on their way to other schools. That’s why he was surprised to see a small army of Golden Apple presenters, news media and school administrators march into his classroom Feb. 19 to raucous applause from his students.
“Everyday it feels like I am stealing money from taxpayers,” Thomas said. “You know why? Because I love what I do. It feels like I’m not even working.”
The global studies and African American history teacher was one of six exceptional middle and high school teachers who on Feb. 19 won a prestigious 2026 Golden Apple Teacher Award at Rockford area schools.
Winners were chosen from a pool of more than 400 nominees, after an arduous application process that included classroom obseravations by trained community volunteers. They not only get a trophy and recognition, but also receive a $1,000 cash award, a laptop computer and a scholarship to Rockford University.
Here are the 2026 winners.
Hayley Gotzsche
School: Willowbrook Middle School in South Beloit
Subject: Choir and theater
Hayley Gotzsche works everyday to instill a love of music and self-confidence in her students. A teacher for 10 years, seven at Willowbrook, Gotzsche’s students say she finds ways to connect lessons to her students’ lives and get them excited about learning.
The only choir and theater teacher at the South Beloit middle school, Gotzsche also offers students extracurricular opportunities like the spring musical, seasonal caroling, solo and small ensemble opportunities, Broadway Club and the Music in the Parks competition. She got 19 nominations for the Golden Apple from students and peers.
“Whether describing the origins of theatre in Ancient Greece or guiding students through how to sing in harmony, Hayley finds ways to connect and get her students truly excited about learning,” one nominator said.
Kelsey Zammuto
School: Hononegah Community High School in Rockton
Subject: Chemistry and environmental science
A dedicated teacher who says the profession chose her, chemistry and environmental science teacher Kelsey Zammuto sets high expectations for herself and her students. Zammuto has taught for 15 years, nine at Hononegah.
Zammuto is known for providing “Mindful Mondays” where she teaches students ways to be mindful as part of social-emotional health topics and coping techniques. She recognizes that science can be a challenging subject for a lot of students, so she looks for ways to explain complex scientific principles in ways they can understand.
“I utilize storytelling, real world connections, humor and compassion to help them achieve understanding at the same time as encouraging the skills to make success possible,” Zammuto said in her Golden Apple application. “The key is helping them realize they can accomplish anything they set their minds to with effort and a little assistance.”
Chelsea Spinello-Johnson
School: Thurgood Marshall School
Subject: Library, publications
An 18-year veteran with a decade at Thurgood Marshall School, library and publications teacher Chelsea Spinello-Johnson has a knack for sparking student interest in reading and learning. She is credited with helping to increase library circulation three-fold by inspiring students to read more.
She is also credited with helping to bring additions like a makerspace, media lab, puzzle corner and quiet study room to the library.
“This has been a really long journey for me,” Spinello-Johnson said. “I am really excited and nervous and I have all the feels right now. I am so appreciative for my school, my students and my colleagues. This is just a really exciting moment.”
Shawna Sterling
Subject: Science
School: Harlem Middle School
A 15-year teaching veteran, Harlem Middle School 7th Grade science teacher Shawna Sterling is known for designing her lessons so they are accessible and engaging for students of all backgrounds and abilitg levles. Nominators said she works to keep students and their parents informed about classroom activities.
Utilizing grant funding, Sterling established a student-centered greenhouse program. Students grow plants from seed and manage all aspects of the greenhouse.
“It feels great to be acknowledged for all the hard work I put into it because these kids really mean everything to me,” Sterling said.
Bryce Thomas
School: Guilford High School
Subject: Global Studies and African American History
A young teacher with six years experience, Guilford High School social science teacher Bryce Thomas is making a big impact on his students. He works to motivate and inspire students to learn and excel. And he has established a learning environment of intellectual curiosity and accountability, one nominator said.
He is a junior varsity basketball coach, an assistant football coach and volunteer Brother to Brother.
“I believe education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming not just individual lives, but entire neighborhoods and generations,” Thomas said in his application for the Golden Apple Award.
Katie Volk
School: Rockford Christian School
Subject: English Language Arts
Rockford Christian School English teacher Katie Volk has taught for 34 years, all at Rockford Christian. She said she is always looking for new and interesting ways to keep her students learning and interested.
She is known for leading the annual 7th grade trip to Springfield, the Lincoln Museum and St. Louis. She serves as the English department head, after-school writing club advisor, on the faculty council, Science Olympiad judge, on the campus planning council and more. She also co-created a new-teacher mentoring program.
“This is something I have been scared to do for a long long time,” Volk said. “It’s been such a worthwhile thing. I am grateful for my colleagues. I teach with the absolute best of the best and they have made me who I am.”
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Six Rockford area teachers win prestigious 2026 Golden Apple awards
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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