The Golden Apple Foundation established the Golden Apple Teacher Academy when the first twenty educators were named Teachers of Distinction in the spring of 1997. Golden Apple recipients are honored each year with membership in the Academy who continue to represent educational excellence and provide educational leadership to the community.

The Golden Apple Teacher Academy encourages and promotes a positive, ongoing relationship between the community and its schools to support teaching and learning for today and a lifetime. Members provide positive educational outreach to the community and support evolving best practices in teaching through professional development and mentoring new teachers. The Academy offers its members opportunities for both personal and professional growth through networking opportunities, involvement in Golden Apple Foundation activities, mentoring opportunities, and the sponsorship of speakers and workshops.

The Academy has made a strong commitment to teacher mentoring and has established a partnership with the education department at Rockford College. Academy members have developed and provide monthly mentoring workshops for new teachers in Winnebago and Boone Counties. Golden Apple Academy members have provided a valuable resource for the educational community, serving as cooperating teachers for student teachers and field experience students, presenting at workshops, and sponsoring nationally known speakers.