Courtesy Photo Samantha Zolnierek is seen holding a sign announcing that she was accepted into the Golden Apple Scholar Program that will help her as she heads to Northern Michigan University to become a teacher.

ALPENA — Samantha Zolnierek, of Alpena, has been chosen as one of 35 Michigan students inducted into the Golden Apple Scholar Program. This program is designed to encourage and promote future teachers in the most challenging teaching environments.

After a rigorous and thorough screening process of online and personal interviews, transcripts, and reference verifications, the Alpena High School graduate passed the test.

When asked why she chose a teaching profession, Zolnierek said, “It was always in the back of my mind to become a teacher. When I was young, I knew it would be either something involving the medical field or teaching.”

Zolnierek will receive $15,000 in financial support, annual summer stipends, an invitation to the 10-day Scholar Institute community building workshop where students are offered hands-on instruction from an experienced and award-winning teaching staff, and emotional and social support as she heads to Northern Michigan University.

Zolnierek believes that the program will greatly benefit her future as a teacher in more ways than one.

“I believe this program will teach me more techniques to use in the classroom to help me find balance with my students,” she said. “I want to be the best teacher for my students. For some children, I might be their only support.”

The Golden Apple Scholar Program began in Illinois 35 years ago to support young people going into the teaching profession and to provide them with the knowledge they would need to continue a productive and valued teaching career. New Mexico began the program in 2022 with Michigan following this year. The goal is to keep expanding.

Schools in need are the primary focus of the program. Any district that provides over 30 percent of its students with a free lunch program is considered a school in need.

Caycee Sledge, chief program officer of Golden Apple Michigan said, “There is need everywhere.”

With over 1,800 teachers retiring and a 67% drop in enrollment for education programs since 2008, “There’s a teacher shortage across the country,” Sledge said.

Recipients of Golden Apple Scholar are required to teach for five years at a school in need. Golden Apple’s future teachers choose the community in need where they will decide to teach.

“Students tend to relate better with teachers of similar backgrounds and interests,” Sledge said. “This is a model we believe in, it’s the long-term relationship we spend with our scholars that makes a lasting difference. If they start with us from high school, they could be with us for 10 years.”

Golden Apple Scholar’s mission is to inspire, develop, and support teacher and school leader excellence, especially in schools in need.

The program’s target for success is evident for both teachers and students.

“Each scholar is awarded a mentor for their first two years of teaching to help coach and assist in figuring everything out,” Sledge said.

Golden Apple also offers help with job placement, with 97% of their teachers employed within 90 days of receiving their degree.

The Golden Apple Program is for high school seniors through college sophomores who are determined to be outstanding teachers in Michigan, grades Pre-K through 12.

Applications are accepted beginning Sept.1, 2024, at goldenapple.org.