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 Finale Winner, receiving $1,000 and a glass trophy.

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 ensuring stability and growth is a constant. She is always teaching and shares many lessons in this conversation.

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 you can think of at the school, while also shining a light on the power of Black history and empowering students.

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 Apple story and why doing work you love is worth it. Ploutz runs the show when it comes to V.O. Isom Central Elementary School's Drama Club. She has transformed the program into a huge success over the past ten years.

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 has transformed the program into a huge success over the past ten years and creates plays and parodies for students to perform.

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 and drive for this challenging and rewarding job. A lot has changed over the decades, yet she has mastered how to connect and teach students through a masterful level of difficulty and respect.

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,” a term her students use to describe her yelling and helping method of teaching.

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 some elementary students have in language arts or math.

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 interventionist. He helps bridge the gap some elementary students have in language arts or math.

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 words of wisdom as teachers overcome struggles during the pandemic.

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 that's not that obvious). He and his students apply for local historical markers, make documentaries, and impressive display cases all about the history makers of Monrovia.

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 of their favorite moments, and a preview of what's coming to the teachers in Thursday's surprise.

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 not being able to read to reading. Hear the emotional story from a parent's point of view, and listen to our team surprise Miss DeSutter in-class.

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 video series that may or may not have absolutely nothing to do with his chosen academic subject, math.

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 Coach of the Year, Soccer Coach Hall of Fame, mystery novelist, and annual service project organizer. But during a pandemic, he added "chicken Cheez-It chef," and believe it not, that's what some kids say they'll remember him for.

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 his impact on students, but his impact on his family. Andersen explains how his family has shaped his career, and vice versa.

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 School, taught her how to start *your* day with a smile.

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 led them to become teachers. Then, our surprise crew crashes Mr. Andersen's choir concert to award him with $500, a golden trophy, and a nomination video all about him.

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. Then, our surprise crew barges into Ms. Sanders' classroom to award her with $500, a golden trophy, and a nomination video all about her.

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 students and HSE’s “Exceptional Learner” students, or those with moderate to severe disabilities.

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 rapidly growing YouTube channel, and his success reaching kids of all types. Mr. D even shares what he’s working on for next semester!

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 us what he does that makes him “wild” and “the best ever,” and hear the genuine surprise as Mr. Dalton receives the Golden Apple Award in front of his colleagues at Nora Elementary. 

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 all share their appreciation for his style of teaching. Mr. Rohrbach did not expect to see Brenna Donnelly and WISH-TV and was genuinely surprised to receive the Golden Apple Award presented by Bailey & Wood Mortgage.

 

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 involvement is so important to her family, her favorite moments from season 1 teacher surprises, and how the name “Bailey & Wood” came about. 

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 a Central Indiana teacher with the Golden Apple Award along with $500! Listen to learn more about these wonderful teachers, their stories and all they do to help their students, schools and communities with the Golden Apple Award Podcast, sponsored by Baily & Wood Mortgage Lender.