Golden Apple Awards
Join us in recognizing the educators who inspire, lead and innovate in Greater Green Bay classrooms. The Golden Apple Awards honor those shaping student success and our region’s future through excellence in education.
View all the nominations here.
Event Details
April 22 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Attire: Formal attire encouraged (full length gowns, cocktail dresses, suits, etc.)
Ticket information to come February 2026
Location
Oneida Casino Hotel – 2040 Airport Dr, Green Bay, WI 54313
Schedule of Events
5 p.m. | Doors open
5 – 5:45 p.m. | Cocktail Hour, Networking and Photo Station
6 p.m. | Welcome & Program Begins
6:15 p.m. | Dinner
7 – 8:30 p.m. | Awards Presentation
Sponsorship opportunities are now available, contact Mandy Netzel, Development Director for more information.
We reserve the right to refuse registration or deny entry to any individual, or to request that any attendee leave the event, at our sole discretion and without prior notice.
Event Photography: Please be advised that photo or video may be taken at this event for use on the Chamber website, social media, and/or other promotional materials. Your attendance at this event, gives consent to the Greater Green Bay Chamber to use your image and likeness for educational, archival, or promotional purposes.
Refund Policy: As a non-profit, all funds received from this event directly impact and support the critical programs and operations of the Greater Green Bay Chamber. Therefore, we do not issue refunds for cancellations. We appreciate your understanding.
What is the Golden Apple Awards?
The Greater Green Bay Chamber’s Golden Apple Awards program annually recognizes high-quality educators in Greater Green Bay in areas of professionalism, leadership, and innovation. We strive to improve awareness and the importance of quality education within our community.
Why the Golden Apple Awards exist?
We recognize that quality education is instrumental in the success of Greater Green Bay and have created an avenue that celebrates those within the educational field who contribute exceptional work towards educational attainment.
Who is eligible for a Golden Apple?
Golden Apple Awards are awarded to licensed educational professionals. For example, school counselors, administrators, teachers, teams of teachers, etc.
2026 Educators of Distinction
| Emily Krueger | Algoma Elementary School |
| Dan Albrent | Ashwaubenon High School |
| Bridget Johnson | Cormier School & Early Learning Center |
| Claudia Stewart | Parkview Middle School |
| Weston Berndt | Preble High School |
| Andrew Crane | Southwest High School |
| Terri Lesjack-Decker | Southwest High School |
| Dan Dennis | Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners |
| Alexander Downing | Red Smith Elementary/Middle School |
| Laurie Grunwald | Jackson Elementary School |
| Heidi Herrala | McAuliffe Elementary School |
| Jen Kelm | Baird Elementary School |
| Shelby Koll | Elmore Elementary School |
| Allison Nitti | Red Smith Elementary/Middle School |
| Jennifer Sloniker | Doty Elementary School |
| Andrea Barington | Holy Family Catholic School (G.R.A.C.E.) |
| Kelly Gossen | St. Thomas More Catholic School (G.R.A.C.E.) |
| Annie Stewart | Father Allouez Catholic School (G.R.A.C.E.) |
| Sean Berendes | Bay View Middle School |
| Leah Cramer | Bay Port High School |
| Erica Hardwick | Lineville Intermediate School |
| Erica Kentop | Forest Glen Elementary School |
| Adam Rudar | Notre Dame De La Baie Academy |
| Elizabeth Awve | Sunnyside Elementary School |
| Kathryn (Kathy) Brown | Pulaski High School |
| Paula Goeben | Sunnyside Elementary School |
| Joel Jarock | Pulaski High School |
| Baylee Simonar | Saint Mary’s School – Luxemburg |
| Aaron Kilsdonk | Seymour High School |
| Michelle Kontny | De Pere High School |
| Sao Yang | De Pere High School |
| Kristin Blanchard | West De Pere Middle School |
| Thomas Ashley & Erica Stindt | Phantom Knight Charter School Advisors (West De Pere School District) |
| Jenny Mueller, Kregg Mueller, Mark Schmoll & Kevin Vander Zanden | Seymour High School Alternative Education Team |
| Lucy Lozar & Anthony Zornow | West De Pere Intermediate School Physical Education Team |
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
Major Sponsors
Annual Giving Sponsor
Sustaining Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Design | Dessert | Floral
