Nominate.....

An outstanding teacher for special recognition in the 38th Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program

Recognize an Outstanding Lee County Public School Teacher

Teachers are the heart of our school system as they nurture our children’s inquisitive minds and prepare them for the challenges of their future. We invite you to nominate a teacher who exemplifies excellence in teaching.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools will honor six outstanding representatives of the teaching profession in Lee County at the 38th Annual Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Banquet. Selected teachers will receive:

• Golden Apple trophy and custom designed Golden Apple lapel pin, created by Mark Loren Designs
• Membership in the Academy of Teachers
• $3,000 cash award for the teacher
• $500 cash award for the teacher’s school
• Invitation to Collegium for the Advancement of Education

About the Foundation

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools is a non-profit charitable education foundation whose mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators. This is accomplished through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships.

Eligiblity

Outstanding full-time teachers employed by The School District of Lee County (Pre-K through 12th, including career and technical). This includes school counselors, media specialists, technology specialists, coaches, and all special area teachers.

Selection Process

• Nomination forms submitted by September 20th, 2024
• Nominated teachers who wish to participate must submit an application to The Foundation
• Selection Committee chooses Golden Apple recipients based on blind application review, interviews and teacher classroom observations

2025 Golden Apple Scholarship Application

Applicants of the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program™ may also apply for a scholarship for one 3-4 hour graduate or undergraduate course at Florida Gulf Coast University and up to $100 for related books. This scholarship will be valid July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Scholarships will be awarded prior to the Golden Apple Dinner on Friday, April 25th, 2025.

Eligiblity

Only teachers who submit a completed Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program™ application may apply for this scholarship. Applications must be submitted electronically.

Criteria

• Course must enhance teaching (not for administration)
• Application must be filled out using the online portal
• Applications are given to selection committee “blind” (do not use identifying information on the "Scholarship" Tab)

Applications are due to The Foundation by Monday, January 27th, 2025.

Classroom/School/District Grant

Who May Apply

Any full-time teacher(s), school administrators, or district administrators currently employed by the School District of Lee County, including Pre-K, Vocational, Technical, Media Specialists, School Counselors, and Coaches are eligible. While numerous grants may be awarded to teachers from the same school, only one grant will be awarded per qualifying teacher, school, or district department.

Important Information

• An incomplete application will be disqualified.
• The school principal and applicant must both sign the Acknowledgement Form for individual and group grants, to verify that grant procedures will be followed. For School and District Department grants, only the administrator’s signature is required.
• Completed applications must be submitted via the online portal no later than October 11th, 2024 by 9AM.
• Applicants will be notified by late-October whether or not their grant has been awarded.
• Grant funds must be spent during the 2024-2025 school year between mid-November and by the end of your project - no later than May 16, 2025. Any purchase substitutions from the original grant budget must be pre-approved. Please email Lindsey@leeschoolfoundation.org or Justin@leeschoolfoundation.org for any changes. All grant purchases must be made through your school’s bookkeeper.
• Equipment and supplies purchased with grant monies will remain the property of the individual teacher that received the funding, but must stay in the Schools District of Lee County. Equipment and supplies purchased with grant monies awarded to schools and district departments will stay with the awarded school or district department even if the administrator moves to another school or department within the district. All items valued over $1,000.00, and with a life expectancy of over one year, should be tracked.
• Grant funds cannot be allocated for salaries or food. Sales tax is not an allowable expense.
• *Nutritious foods are allowed only when part of an approved in a Health/Fitness/Nutrition Grant.
• Copies of all (descriptive) receipts must be kept by the grantee or team leader of a group grant, and copies of all receipts must be sent to The Foundation office with the Final Expense Report and Bookkeeper’s Ledger.
• Mid-year reports are due at The Foundation office by December 20, 2024.
• Final grant reports including the evaluation, expense report, descriptive receipts and bookkeeper’s ledger are due at The Foundation office May 16, 2025.

Classroom/School/District Grants Program is sponsored in part by a major grant from the Consortium of Florida Education and:

Classroom/School/District Grants Gold Sponsors

FLCPS Scholarships

FAQs

Process

1. Register

Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Login

Login to the award with your email and password.

3. Create

Create your online application.

4. Save

During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.