Elmhurst College alumna Erin Salberg has been named a Golden Apple award winner by the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford.

A first-grade teacher at Rockton Grade School in Rockton, Illinois, Salberg graduated from Elmhurst College in 2006.

The Rockford Golden Apple award honors teachers from Winnebago and Boone counties who are making a difference in their communities through their commitment to educational excellence. This year, pre-K to fifth-grade teachers were eligible. Five winners, including Salberg, were selected.

Salberg got the news during a surprise visit to her classroom last month from Golden Apple Foundation board members and sponsors as well as her principal, superintendent and family members.

According to the Foundation, Salberg has taken on numerous district and school responsibilities, including service on the district Finance and Planning Committee, district Strategic Plan Committee and district/school-level Evaluation Committee. The SMART Technology/SMARTboard trainer for her district, she also has shown great dedication to the individual needs of her students, and recently requested to have two high-need students in her classroom.

On Friday, May 2, the newest Golden Apple teachers will be inducted into the Golden Apple Teacher Academy during the 18th Annual Excellence in Education Banquet in Rockford. The teachers will be welcomed to the banquet with a red carpet arrival. After their induction, the teachers will receive a cash award and a professional development stipend from the Golden Apple Foundation, a desktop computer for their classroom from Rockford Computers for Schools, a laptop compliments of Entré Computer Solutions, and a Terry Ingrassia Professional Development Scholarship at Rockford University.

For more information or to attend the 18th Annual Golden Apple Banquet on Friday, May 2, visit the Golden Apple website or call the Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford office at (815) 226-4180.