Golden Apple

‘She’s a safe space’: Wayne Township reading specialist makes students and staff feel special

October 31, 2024

October’s Golden Apple Award winner is Mrs. Jaymie Popcheff. She’s in her 24th year teaching and is currently a reading specialist in the Wayne Township Metropolitan School District. She works with students...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP SPANISH PROFESORA

September 30, 2024

September’s Golden Apple Award winner is Miss Sydni Jennings. She inspires students through her own experience in their shoes. While working toward her Masters degree, she has written a book and...

Golden Apple Podcast: Spanish profesora teaches the language of love in Lawrence Township

September 26, 2024

September’s Golden Apple Award winner is Miss Sydni Jennings. She’s a Spanish teacher at Lawrence North High School, who grew up learning Spanish in Lawrence Township. Jennings is so loved as a...

WGU partners with WISH-TV to give Golden Apple Award winners $2,000

September 04, 2024

This school year WGU Indiana is teaming up with WISH-TV to surprise teachers in Indiana with the Golden Apple Award. New this school year is a $2,000 cash prize. WGU...

Golden Apple Award Grand Finale celebrates award-winning Indiana educators

June 17, 2024

All nine teachers from the Class of 2024 were invited to the WISH-TV studios for the Golden Apple Grand Finale Special. One teacher was also honored as the Grand Finale...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH DANCING WAYNE TOWNSHIP SCIENCE TEACHER

June 04, 2024

Mr. David Edison just finished his 3rd year teaching. In this conversation, we explore how he went from culinary school to being a teacher, how the first year of teaching...

Dancing science teacher gets kids excited about STEM

May 31, 2024

May's Golden Apple Award winner is Mr. David Edison. He’s a science teacher in Wayne Township who uses throwback dances and songs to relate to his students.

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION KINDERGARTEN TEACHER TURNED AUTHOR DURING CANCER BATTLE

April 30, 2024

Mrs. Nikki Hendricks has been a teacher in Center Grove for 25 years. In this conversation, we explore what has changed during that time, her battle with cancer, and her...

Center Grove teacher fights cancer, teams up with student to write a book

April 26, 2024

This month’s Golden Apple Award winner is Mrs. Nikki Hendricks. She has been a teacher in Center Grove for 25 years, but this year is unlike any other — she has...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CHEERING ‘COACH T’

April 02, 2024

Miss Terrionna King goes by “Coach T” and cheers for students in the classroom and on the sidelines. As both a math coach and a cheer coach, she shares her journey...

Teacher cheers for students on the sidelines and in the classroom

March 29, 2024

March’s Golden Apple Award winner is Miss Terrionna King from Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood. She goes by “Coach T” and cheers for students in the classroom and on the sidelines. That’s because she’s both a...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP’S ‘SINGING’ TEACHER

March 07, 2024

February’s winner is Mr. Nick Bunton! He is a behaviorist who helps elementary students process their emotions. But how did he get into this unique career? Hear his answers and insight...

Washington Township’s ‘singing’ teacher helps students process their emotions

February 23, 2024

February’s winner is Mr. Nick Bunton, who helps elementary students process their emotions in the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township. Mr. Bunton is a behaviorist at Allisonville Elementary School and is known for...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH HSE TEACHER WHO HELPS STUDENTS REACH NEW HEIGHTS

January 31, 2024

January’s winner is Mrs. Audrey Lash from New Britton Elementary School. She’s a first-grade teacher at Hamilton Southeastern Schools who helps her students and peers reach their full potential. She was inspired to teach by...

HSE teacher inspires ‘lifelong love of learning’

January 29, 2024

January’s winner is Mrs. Audrey Lash from New Britton Elementary School. She’s a first-grade teacher at Hamilton Southeastern Schools who helps her students and peers think in new ways. She also specializes in getting students to...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH STAR SHELBY COUNTY COACH AND TEACHER

January 04, 2024

Mr. Daymon Higdon went to Waldron Junior-Senior High School and now teaches in his same 6th-grade classroom! He moved from track star to star teacher in the district. But what motivates him...

Shelby County teacher sprints to success

December 29, 2023

This month’s winner is Mr. Daymon Higdon from Waldron Junior-Senior High School. He goes by DJ and went from track star to star teacher in the district in a dash. While life is...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH COMPASSIONATE HSE SCIENCE TEACHER

December 19, 2023

November’s winner is Mrs. Courtney Lawhead! Listen to how this mom of four jumped into education and became the “mom” of Hamilton Southeastern when the school district was in need. Now she...

Hamilton Southeastern science teacher shows compassion for all students

November 30, 2023

November’s winner is Mrs. Courtney Lawhead! She is known for her compassion for all students in the Hamilton Southeastern School District. In fact, her own son dubs her the “mom” of Hamilton Southeastern...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH TIMELESS LAPEL CHOIR TEACHER

November 06, 2023

Miss Jeannine Terhune has spent almost six decades inspiring students in Lapel and teaching choir in the district. She created the choir program back in 1966 and without a doubt, has...

Timeless teacher inspires Lapel students with music for 58 years

October 31, 2023

October’s Golden Apple Award winner is Miss Jeannine Terhune, who has spent almost six decades inspiring students in Lapel and teaching choir in the district. She created the choir program back in...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH DEVOTED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

October 01, 2023

Mrs. Rachel Haynes has spent over a decade teaching 15-year-old Harley Palmer and shares a special bond with all her students as a special education resource teacher. But, what sparked Mrs. Haynes'...

Warren Township teacher spends decade helping student

September 26, 2023

Mrs. Rachel Haynes has been a special education resource teacher for 25 years and now works in the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township. What really sets her apart is her devotion...

Golden Apple Award Grand Finale Special: Class of 2023

June 20, 2023

In the Golden Apple Grand Finale Special, all nine teachers were invited to the WISH-TV studios for a celebration of their achievements. One teacher was also honored as the Grand Finale Award...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MARVELOUS ARMY VETERAN TEACHER

June 11, 2023

Miss Kourtney Liggett talks about her journey to the army and into the classroom. The Speedway native has a passion for public service and encourages students to 'be the model'...

Army veteran teacher helps students ‘be the model’

June 04, 2023

May’s Golden Apple Award winner is a hero inside and outside the classroom. Miss Kourtney Liggett, an Army veteran from Speedway, uses Marvel movies to help motivate her fifth-grade students in Wayne Township. Students at Chapelwood Elementary...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH SPANISH TEACHER WHO CONNECTS WITH STUDENTS

May 08, 2023

Students at Pike High School say Ms. Leiwanna (Wannie) Taylor connects with them through culture and care. We have an honest conversation with her about how she got started as...

Spanish teacher connects to students with care

May 01, 2023

Ms. Leiwanna (Wannie) Taylor is a Spanish teacher at Pike High School who also speaks the language of high school students. She connects with them through culture and care. Ms. Taylor’s creative approach and...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH TEACHER WHO BREWS PASSION IN & OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

April 09, 2023

Mr. Dustin Homan is an educator at Purdue Polytechnic High School North in Indianapolis, where all teachers are called ‘coaches.’ He chose to go into education in the middle of the pandemic, to...

Purdue Polytechnic teacher brews passion and purpose

March 29, 2023

Mr. Dustin Homan gets kids out of the classroom with life-changing field trips and helps students “brew” a coffee business to pay for those experiences. One student said, “It’s almost like...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CARING CHOIR TEACHER

March 06, 2023

An in-depth conversation with Mrs. Amy Kamwendo about her philosophy on teaching. She said, "I have them for such a short amount of time in their lives and you have...

Caring choir teacher instills confidence in students

March 01, 2023

Mrs. Amy Kamwendo makes all of her students the stars at Guion Creek Middle School by supporting them with love. Kamwendo helps students shine on and off the stage in Pike Township....

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH ‘CLASS FAMILY’ IN NOBLESVILLE

February 07, 2023

Mr. Nathaniel Truitt and his student representatives - Sam Hoffman, Cody Morris, and Maya Smiley - from Hinkle Creek Elementary School have an in-depth conversation about their 'class family' and...

Noblesville teacher creates ‘class family’

February 01, 2023

At Hinkle Creek Elementary School, students in the third grade understand the meaning of family. It’s all thanks to their teacher, Nathaniel Truitt, and his “class family.” Truitt’s classroom does not have...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH PERRY TOWNSHIP’S HEART OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

January 09, 2023

Listen to what inspired Ms. Ali DeHart to students with special needs and learn more about her work with Miss Amazing!

Perry Township teacher shines a light on students with special needs

December 26, 2022

Ms. Ali DeHart is the heart of special education in Perry Township. She gives to her elementary students year-round and during the holidays. She is also committed to shining a...

IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH ‘WESTFIELD FAMOUS’ MEDIA TEACHER

December 06, 2022

We chat with Mr. Shawn Davis from the Westfield-Washington School district to find out how this rockstar teacher transitioned to educating students through Rocks Media House.

Media teacher is ‘Westfield famous’ for being behind the camera

November 27, 2022

Students across the district recognize Mr. Shawn Davis as the man behind the camera. His home base is at Westfield High School, where he teaches kids about video and media...

In-depth conversation with teacher who cares for students while battling cancer

November 01, 2022

Amy Mitchell has been teaching in Lawrence Township Schools for most of her long career. She comes from a family of educators but hopes her journey into teaching inspires young educators....

Lawrence Township teacher cares for students while battling cancer

October 26, 2022

October’s Golden Apple Award winner is Amy Mitchell from the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, and she always puts her students first, including caring for her class while battling cancer. Determination...

In-depth conversation with the master of tech at Arsenal Tech High School

October 02, 2022

Mr. Isaac Adams has a real conversation about the difficulties teachers face, plus dreaming big to create a classroom filled with technology and students willing to try STEM.

Engineering teacher puts the tech in Arsenal Tech High School

September 28, 2022

At Arsenal Tech High School there are hundreds of students, 76 acres, 13 buildings, and plenty of history, but only one Mr. Isaac Adams. “Mr. Adams has an immense passion...

Golden Apple Award Winners: Class of 2022

June 25, 2022

In the Golden Apple Grand Finale Special, all nine teachers were invited to the WISH-TV Studios for a celebration of their achievements. One teacher was also honored as the Grand...

In-depth conversation with Indianapolis teacher shining a light on the power of Black history

May 31, 2022

DaMeisha Fleming explains her inspiration behind the James Whitcomb Riley School 43 Black History Thematic Unit. With the recent passing of her dad, Fleming remains focused on her students and...

First-grade Indianapolis teacher shines a light on the power of Black history

May 28, 2022

DaMeisha Fleming is the final Golden Apple Award winner for the 2021-2022 school year. She is a first-grade teacher at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 and does just about every role...

In-depth conversation with a Greenwood elementary school’s Drama Club star

April 27, 2022

"My heart is so full right now. I have been beaming nonstop since you guys came to my room." Hear Ms. Amber Ploutz's reaction to the response from WISH-TV's Golden...

Greenwood elementary school teacher brings Broadway to the classroom

April 26, 2022

April’s winner is Amber Ploutz, a 2nd-grade teacher at V.O. Isom Central Elementary School in Greenwood. Along with teaching, Ploutz runs the school’s Drama Club in her free time. She...

In-depth conversation with a legendary literature teacher

March 30, 2022

Jocelyn Sisson, an AP literature, language and composition teacher at North Central High School. She has been a teacher for 32 years but this is her second career. Hear what fuels her passion...

Legendary literature teacher ‘yelps’ students to success

March 29, 2022

Jocelyn Sisson IS an AP literature, language and composition teacher who has spent decades helping students write their own stories. She demands kids do their best and is known for “yelping,”...

An in-depth conversation with “Super Mr. B” and some advice on how to get students excited about school

March 01, 2022

This is an in-depth conversation with Mr. Blastic about his special role as an interventionist. He explains his ongoing education and some methods he uses to help bridge the gap...

Superhero teacher gets creative to help students thrive in various subjects

February 26, 2022

Jodavid Blastic is known at Trinity Christian School as “Super Mr. B” and his ability to help students thrive, truly is a superpower. Blastic has a special role at the school as...

An in-depth conversation with a Fortville teacher who is inspiring students with her personality

January 29, 2022

Mrs. Sarah Terrell explains who inspired her to become a teacher and how messages from her students keep her motivated to do the job she loves. Hear her journey and...

Fortville teacher inspires students with an outgoing personality

January 26, 2022

Mrs. Sarah Terrell is outgoing, energetic, and very talkative. However, she was almost speechless after WISH-TV surprised her with the Golden Apple Award.

Middle school band director teaches students more than just music

December 21, 2021

December’s big winner is Daniel Dorsett. Dorsett is the band director at Harshman Magnet Middle School in Indianapolis. Dorsett is helping teach so much more than just music.

The most impressive historian in Monrovia… teaches high school

October 29, 2021

WISH-TV honors Mr. Steve Reeder with October 2021's Golden Apple Award. His nomination was full of examples of how he actually lives what he does (and he's a history, so...

Two languages; no words! The surprise of a career for a professora in Lawrence Township

October 08, 2021

Our Golden Apple team begins the 2021-2022 school year in Lawrence Township, surprising a teacher who really speaks her students' languages: en Ingles y Espanol!

Welcome back 2020-2021 Golden Apple winners

June 16, 2021

Hear from this year's winning teachers in WISH-TV's Golden Apple Grand Finale Special and find out who won the Grand Finale Prize from Bailey & Wood Mortgage Lender.

Best moments from a year of Golden Apple

June 09, 2021

The Golden Apple Grand Finale Special airs at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, on WISH-TV. Bailey Wood and Brenna Donnelly recap an incredible and unprecedented year of surprises, some...

COVID almost stopped first graders from learning to read. Almost.

June 04, 2021

Pittsboro teacher Alex DeSutter won May's Golden Apple Award for her incredible success in helping her pandemic-delayed students get back up to standard. For little ones, that means going from...

From Cookin’ with Coach to… Gabbing with Gary?

May 28, 2021

Warren Central teacher and coach Gary Roberts joins host Brenna Donnelly to extend the conversation after his Golden Apple Award win in April. Coach Roberts explains why he created a...

Warren Central teacher + Cheez-It fried chicken = happy math students

May 07, 2021

In April's Golden Apple surprise, math teacher and coach Gary Roberts receives the Golden Apple Award. His list of accolades is daunting: 43 years at Warren Central High School, Lacrosse...

Why your grandpa, mom, brother, and niece all love choir director Dan Andersen

April 14, 2021

March’s Golden Apple Winner Dan Andersen shares stories from his 30 years of teaching with host Brenna Donnelly. Mr. Andersen was nominated for the Golden Apple Award not just for...

Why Drew Blair is still in touch with her Brebeuf band teacher

April 02, 2021

WISH-TV staff can’t nominate Golden Apple winners, but local teachers have undoubtedly changed our lives, too. Daybreak Anchor Drew Blair shares why her favorite teacher, Steve Hoernemann from Brebeuf High...

Golden Apple: Center Grove choir teacher inspires his daughters to become teachers

April 01, 2021

In March's Golden Apple surprise, fans of Center Grove choir director Dan Andersen explain how he's amassed a multi-generational following in Greenwood. His daughters also share how their dad's example...

Cardinal Ritter Art Teacher Honored for Creating Diversity Club

February 26, 2021

In February's Golden Apple surprise, fans of Cardinal Ritter art teacher Rhiannon Sanders explain why her new diversity club has changed their perspectives on the people and movements around them....

January 2021 Winner: Dan Moosbrugger, Hamilton Southeastern High School

February 08, 2021

One art teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School is truly living the cliche: ‘art is for everyone.’ Mr. Dan Moosbrugger recently created a peer mentoring art class, combing general education...

The Man Behind the Moves

December 18, 2020

Brenna Donnelly chats with “Mr. D”: the December Golden Apple winner and high-energy, break-dancing PE teacher from Nora Elementary. Hear his honest reaction to his surprise this month, about his...

December 2020 Winner: Marcus Dalton, Washington Twp PE Teacher

December 18, 2020

A few minutes into Mr. Marcus Dalton’s hilarious, educational, and high-energy YouTube workout videos and WISH-TV’s Golden Apple team knew they had their winner! Listen in as his students tell...

November 2020 Winner: Zachary Rohrbach, Avon High School Physics Teacher

November 21, 2020

WISH-TV’s Golden Apple Award Winner for November is a Physics Teacher from Avon High School. Mr. Zachary Rohrbach. His students have described him as “quirky funny” and “Caring” and they...

Introducing Bailey Wood!

November 20, 2020

Brenna Donnelly talks with Bailey Wood of Bailey & Wood Mortgage, sponsor of the WISH-TV Golden Apple Award. Bailey talks about her own bumpy yet inspiring school experience, why community...

Golden Apple Trailer

November 13, 2020

WISH-TV is honoring Central Indiana Teachers who make a crucial difference in our children’s lives. Each month during the school year, Brenna Donnelly and Bailey & Wood Mortgage Lender, surprise...