Kristin Anson, a fifth grade teacher at St. Norbert Catholic School in Northbrook, has been named one of 30 finalists for the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Finalists for the award were selected out of 600 nominations statewide by the nonprofit Golden Apple Foundation, recognizing teachers who teach fourth through eighth grade and have made a lasting impact on their students and school community.
Anson, who recently marked 20 years at the school, told Pioneer Press she was surprised and extremely honored when she first learned about the nomination in December.
“I was totally shocked,” she said. “It came during kind of a crazy time in December and was totally unexpected.”
Anson mentioned she first became aware of what the award was years ago, when her own children’s art teacher in Lake Bluff was nominated.
In the classroom, Anson emphasizes integrating literature into the subjects she teaches and utilizing hands-on learning to meet students where they are academically. She said her passion for reading has especially helped her use literature as a way to keep students engaged across a variety of school subjects, including science.
“Even if they enter her classroom at the beginning of the year not eager readers, by the end, students are actively and voraciously reading books that she has recommended,” said Maggie Hoody, former principal and current director of curriculum at St. Norbert. Hoody, who has worked with Anson during her nine years at the school, said she doesn’t know anyone more deserving of the recognition.
For her science classes, Anson makes an effort to use the inquiry-based teaching model approach, called the 5E model, which encourages students to investigate real-world problems and mirror how real scientists work. Additionally, she incorporates collaborative projects, including having students design terrariums and create devices that produce clean water.
She also pairs most lessons with literature if applicable to a topic, with a goal of making learning more approachable for different students in her class.
“One project we did in science, we talked about clean water and how we can develop clean water,” Anson said. “Well, there’s all kinds of picture books and chapter books that touch on that topic in parts of the world where people don’t have clean water. And I think it’s just a different way to help them understand without it being dry textbook material.”
St. Norbert School Assistant Principal MaryBeth Schwall said Anson also helps with school initiatives outside of the classroom, including organizing an annual book fair.“She is the one that puts in the blood, sweat and tears to make those things possible,” she said. “Every year, she is the one that helps with different reading activities. Even now, she is putting together a school-wide March book madness tournament, which she has done the past couple of years.”
Anson comes from a long family line of educators, though she once insisted to her mother she would never follow that career path — a funny story she enjoys telling students every year.
“When I was growing up, my mom was like, ‘you should be a teacher.’ And I was like, ‘I am not going to be a teacher,’” she said.
However, after working for a while in the business world and raising her own children, Anson ended up going back to school for her teaching certification, a decision that led her to follow in her family’s footsteps.
“She is honoring every student that walks into her classroom, helping them grow as much as they can, not expecting every student to be exactly the same, and instead celebrating the unique traits of every learner,” said Hoody.
