Students at Big Hollow Elementary School let loose with cheers Friday morning, when fourth grade teacher Andrea Woods was surprised with a 2023 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
The presentation came during a full assembly and, in keeping with tradition, the entire ceremony was kept under wraps.
Woods, sitting with her class during the morning assembly, was totally unaware as Vinni Biancalana, the school’s principal, addressed the students.
“Mrs. Andrea Woods has been nominated for the Golden Apple Award … one of only 30 finalists, out of over 500 teachers,” she said. “This is a big deal, a once in a lifetime event. We are still waiting to hear from the foundation if she has won this special award. We have been waiting and waiting.”
From a side door, a long entourage of family, friends, teachers, and even the school’s Warrior mascot, carried banners, balloons and flowers heralding the achievement.
“I did not expect this,” Woods said. “I’m very overwhelmed. My heart is just filled with joy.”
Woods is a third-generation teacher in her family, following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother. Her daughter, Ainsley Ulibarri, is planning to make it four generations, as she is studying for an elementary education endorsement.
“It’s a lot of pressure, because my Mom is phenomenal,” Ulibarri said. “She meets every single mark, and exceeds it.”
Woods teaches 4th grade reading, language arts, writing, math, science, social studies and 2nd step emotional-social curriculum. One of the main projects accomplished by her students was the installation of a solar array panel on the south end of the Fish Lake Road campus.
“They researched the solar field, so the electricity goes to the school,” school board President Kevin Lyons said. “It saved taxpayers and everybody money. We think it saved up to 80% of our electricity bill.
“We’ve never had a Golden Apple winner here at District 38,” he said. “We’re proud of her. She had to work hard to get the award and is deserving.”
Woods will receive a $5,000 cash award, and a paid sabbatical at Northwestern University. “Then, she’ll join the Academy of Educators, which helps prepare the next generation of teachers,” said Alan Mather, the foundation’s president. “It’s … two terms, summer and spring, to either teach or mentor.”
Foundation members visited the school in March, and the class to monitor her teaching style. They also interviewed students, family and colleagues.
“She was one of my first friends when I got her in 2008; the first to reach out and ask if I needed anything,” said Katie Schiller, who teaches music. “She has a servant’s heart, and cares very much about people.”
Woods later talked to the students about getting the award, and said, “I just wanted them to know they can do this. There is something of this stature in all of our careers in life. It’s achievable because I’m an ordinary person. You work hard, you study and you persevere. ‘Don’t quit, show grit.’ That’s our motto all year.”
Patricia King, Woods’ mother, said, “She was committed to her students during the pandemic. She made book packs for each of her students, according to their level, and delivered them just so they would keep reading.
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“I’m a retired teacher too, so this has been a long progression in my family,” King continued. “Her grandmother would be so proud of her.”