Golden Apple Educator Awards
Honoring the Educators Who Shape the Future
At the Golden Apple Educator Awards, we celebrate educators who make a lasting impact on their classrooms, schools, and communities. These dedicated individuals do more than teach curriculum—they instill self-confidence, kindness, compassion, and a love for learning in the next generation.
Award Categories
Educators can be nominated in one of seven categories:
🌟 Golden Apple Future Educator Award (Must be a high school or college student):
This award will go to a high school or college student interested in pursuing a career in education. Nominees must volunteer with The Leaders Readers Network or another charitable organization that supports children in the Texas Panhandle and demonstrate a positive impact in a teacher's classroom.
🏆 Golden Apple Early Career Award (Must be within 5 years of teaching):
Nominees must demonstrate a love for teaching and reading with their students and community.
📚 Golden Apple English Teacher Award:
This award will go to a middle or high school teacher dedicated to instilling a passion for reading and literature among their students.
🍏 Golden Apple Legacy Award (Must be a veteran educator with 15+ years of experience):
Nominees must demonstrate how their teaching career has made a lasting impact on generations of students.
🧑🏫 Golden Apple Literacy Champion Award (Must be a current educator, librarian, or instructional coach):
Nominees must demonstrate a dedication to sharing a love for reading, ensuring book access and variety of reading activities implemented throughout the school year.
Nomination & Application Details
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March 20th, 2026 at 12 AM CST
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April 30th, 2026, at the Teachers Night Out Celebration (hosted at the Amarillo Area Foundation). Click here to learn more here.
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Submit nominations at this form here.
Celebrating Our Impact
The Leaders Readers Network is dedicated to fostering literacy and supporting educators. In Fall 2024, we:
✔️ Served 21 school districts across multiple states
✔️ Engaged 107 Literacy Fellows across 60 schools
✔️ Supported 75.32% economically disadvantaged students
✔️ Distributed 38,898 books, valued at $507,138.87
✔️ Saved schools $418,781.68 while providing inclusive literacy resources
Where We Serve
We proudly support educators and students across Texas and beyond:
Texas Regions
📍 Amarillo, Canyon, Hereford, Pampa, Friona, and surrounding 26 counties
📍 Midland Region: Lubbock, Lamesa, San Angelo, Fort Stockton, Midland
📍 Central: Waco, Temple, Killeen, Austin
📍 North: Dallas, Fort Worth, and East Central Texas
📍 South: San Antonio and surrounding counties
National & International Reach
🌎 California: Los Angeles, Arvin
🌎 Pennsylvania: Williamsport
🌎 Tennessee: Washburn
🌎 New Mexico: Alto
🌎 Arkansas: Little Rock
🌎 Georgia: Alpharetta
🌎 Maryland: Silver Spring
🌎 Colorado: Springfield
🌎 Michigan: Middleton
🌎 Maine: Saco
🌎 Alabama: Huntsville
🌎 Puerto Rico: Añasco
Join Us in Honoring Educators
We invite you to celebrate educators with us at Teachers Night Out on May 9, 2025. We are currently seeking event sponsors—learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.