GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Eight Green Bay area teachers are the recipients of this year’s Golden Apple Awards.
FOX 11’s Michelle Melby caught up with four of the exceptional educators as they were surprised with the honor to start the day.
“Sorry to interrupt folks.”
You know something is up when a group like this walks in, unannounced, to your classroom.
“Your teacher Mr. Hansen has won a 2025 Golden Apple award.”
The applause is for Corey Hansen, a technology education and computer science teacher at Parkview Middle School.
“That’s what keeps me young, that’s what keeps me coming back is a chance to work with kids like this and to hopefully have a good impact on their lives,” said Hansen about what keeps him coming back.
Hansen has been making a positive impact for more than 25 years.
When asked what makes teaching so special to him, Hansen said “All of these people right here.”
Over at Southwest High School, we walked in on another unsuspecting instructor.
WLUK & WCWF General Manager Jay Zollar had the honor of presenting this apple, “On behalf of FOX 11 and the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, congratulations on being a Golden Apple winner this year.”
“That’s awesome,” said Krings.
Jason M. Krings has been an educator for more than two decades. Teaching runs in his family so this award is special.
Krings says, “It means a lot. This place is my home and I love being here and working with these kids. Really, this means a lot.”
His family members, colleagues and friends were there to celebrate, giving hugs and snapping pictures.
The same celebration took place at Bayport High School, where English teacher Amy Heusterberg-Richards was almost at a loss of words, after learning she was a recipient.
“What’s going through your mind right now?”
“Shock, I should say something articulate because I’m an English teacher. Appreciation. Thank you, and the surprise is wonderful,” said Heusterberg-Richards.
It’s clear the impact she’s had on her students, by the room filled with them, wanting to congratulate her.
And at Pulaski Middle School, science teacher Brianna Kehoe was beyond thrilled.
“Omg, all my aunts and uncles are here! They’re all teachers!”
I wanted to know what made teaching so special to her.
Kehoe said, “We were just doing a lab, and every couple of minutes they were going ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ because they know it makes me happy. They make it fun and you look forward to that and you get to share your love of science with them and there’s nothing better than that.”
If there’s any question these students are excited, just ask them.
“Guess what time it is? Golden Apple time.”
Four other teachers who received Golden Apple Awards are Scott Stromberger from Edison Middle School in Green Bay, Davi Ann Mueller at Ashwaubenon High School, Dena Scheiwe at Beaumont Middle School in Green Bay, and Shawna Fischer at Holy Family Catholic School in Green Bay.
The Golden Apple Awards recognizes high-quality educators in areas of professionalism, leadership, and innovation. The 2025 recognition ceremony is scheduled for April 2.
Teachers of Distinction and the full list of nominees were announced earlier.
The Golden Apple Awards are sponsored by the Greater Green Bay Chamber and the Donald and Darlene Long Family Foundation, and are supported by the above sponsors.
