A surprised Kindra Callahan was given the news at an assembly Thursday recognizing state winners for band, choir and FFA. Unbeknownst to the Kewanee High School ag educator, faculty, staff and her family had worked for weeks to keep the secret and chose the end of the high school assembly to spring it on her.
Callahan was awarded the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Callahan is one of 11 teacher award recipients in Illinois. The Golden Apple Foundation is a leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students.
KHS Principal Amanda Tidwell said the process was competitive and required a visit to the school and interviews with staff by the Golden Apple committee.
“She had to do quite a bit of work,” said Tidwell, who was thrilled with Callahan’s selection. “She’s so deserving. She puts every energy on her kids, her program, and it’s wonderful for her to be recognized today.”
School board members, Mayor Gary Moore and Superintendent Rebecca Baney were in attendance to see Callahan receive the award.
“We are so excited that all of her efforts at building our agriculture program and being an ag educator advocate have been recognized by this prestigious award,” said Supt. Baney.
After the award was announced, Supt. Baney addressed the high school students, congratulating Callahan on the achievement and telling students that the ag educator will help the school district prepare the next generation of teachers.
“We’re here because she believes in you,” said Baney. “She didn’t get this award for herself. She won it for you and because of you.”
When it was her turn to take the podium, Callahan recalled her first semester at KHS and being told, “it is not the size of the school, but the heart of the students.”
“I wrote that down,” she said, telling the students that it changed her perspective from looking at a classroom to looking at her students.
“I am incredibly thankful to not only be a Boiler, but to be a teacher,” she said.
The KHS teacher was selected as an award recipient from more than 470 nominations of ninth through 12th grade teachers.
