20-02-2025
South Elgin High School teacher announced as one of 30 finalists for 2025 Golden Apple Award
A South Elgin High School teacher is among 30 finalists for a 2025 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, and nine other U-46 educators are among more than 500 being honored by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Matthew Erbach teaches civil engineering, architecture and precision manufacturing courses at South Elgin, according to a news release from the nonprofit Golden Apple Foundation.
A teacher for nearly 20 years, Erbach was the second-place winner in 2018 and one of 54 finalists in 2017 in the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, the release said. He also was an an Illinois State Board of Education Award of Meritorious Service honoree in 2024.
Erbach has a bachelor's degree in teaching from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in workforce development from Southern Illinois University, according to the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools website.
In the Golden Apple news release, one of Erbach's colleagues said his passion and expertise, in addition to the positive impact and support he extends to students, serves as a 'benchmark for quality, surpassing many other manufacturing programs in the state.'
Golden Apple Award winners will be announced in spring. Northwestern University provides a free spring sabbatical to award recipients and each receives a $5,000 cash award.
The finalists were culled from more than 470 nominations, according to a foundation news release.
Award recipients also become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a group of educators who help prepare the next generation of teachers in Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs, which are initiatives dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.
'Great teachers change lives. These finalists exemplify the dedication and passion that define exceptional teaching,' Alan Mather, president of Golden Apple, said in the release.
'Their commitment to fostering student growth and inspiring a love for learning enriches not only their classrooms but also the entire educational community. We are honored to recognize their invaluable contributions.'
In the awards announced by the state board of education, nine Those Who Excel honorees are employed by Elgin-based District U-46. They are:
Kimberly Blazek — second-grade teacher at Centennial Elementary School, Award of Excellence;
Patricia Briones — project access coordinator, Award of Special Recognition;
Jill Gerovac — math teacher at Eastview Middle School, Award of Excellence;
Angela Ginnan — principal at Eastview Middle School, Award of Meritorious Service;
Paul Kowalyszyn — English teacher and instructional coach at Streamwood High School, Award of Meritorious Service;
Lela Majstorovic — deputy superintendent of instruction, Award of Meritorious Service;
Rafael Martinez-Ortiz — associate principal at Dream Academy, Award of Special Recognition;
Jose Mora — world languages teacher at South Elgin High School (Award of Special Recognition;
Angela Rojas — early childhood teacher at Independence Center for Early Learning, Award of Special Recognition.
According to the ISBE website, the Award of Excellence is the most prestigious of the honors, followed by the Award of Meritorious Service and the Award of Special Recognition.
For more information on the awards, go to and
