09-05-2025
Kewanee teacher surprised with Golden Apple Award
Kewanee High School educator Kindra Callahan positively impacts students and staff on a daily basis.
'I have been impressed since the day I met (Callahan) a year ago. She is so compassionate and cares so deeply about every student here, and she has led our FFA program to phenomenal accomplishments this year,' said Amanda Tidwell, Kewanee High School's principal.
A leader in the classroom, Callahan puts her students first.
'I prioritize my kiddos every day, and I tell them I will match them step for step, but I can't take the first step,' Callahan said.
'Seeing what she has done with (her agricultural classes) here in Kewanee is amazing,' said Alan Mather, president of the Golden Apple Foundation. 'I mean, she took a program that was dying, elevated it to one of the top in the state, and what was a department of one is now a department of three.'
For that dedication, Callahan was surprised in front of the entire school Thursday by being named a Golden Apple Award winner.
'It is an honor to be here to recognize her,' Mather said.
'It's the satisfaction of showing somebody else that they can win, and I get that feeling when I help my students do stuff,' Callahan said. 'I feel good witnessing it through their eyes.'
The Golden Apple Award is given for excellence in teaching and leadership.
'When I got here, we needed to draw a line in the sand. There was a lot of potential, but students needed to see where that bar could be, and I was going to grind,' Callahan said. 'I'm a confidence builder, I'm a coach.'
Each Golden Apple recipient receives a $5,000 cash award and a spring sabbatical provided by Northwestern University at no cost.
To see the full list of winners, click here.
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