Rockford Kindergarten teacher joins her mother, sister as a Golden Apple winner

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Golden Apple winner Lisa Robinson joined her mother and sister as the third winner of a Golden Apple Award in her family earlier in March.

The Rolling Green Kindergarten teacher used her earlier experience as a finalist in 2023 to teach her students about perseverance.

“I’ve talked to my class through the whole process and told them I’m trying again. I wasn’t a winner last time and it was really hard, but we can do hard things,” said Robinson. “We can try again, and you never know what the outcome will be. And here we are.”

Her sister, Lynn Graczyk, explained what the award means to her.

“Golden Apple is such a positive foundation where they really create an environment where they really make you see the value in being a teacher,” said the 2009 Golden Apple Recipient.

Robinson followed in her family’s footsteps in more ways than one. She teaches in the very same classroom her mother taught in for 15 years.

“When Nelson closed, they just assigned teachers,” said Ann Holliday. “She was assigned kindergarten room 7. And we were like, ‘What? How can that possibly happen?’ But it did.”

Becoming an educator was always one option Mrs. Robinson considered.

“I either wanted to be a soap opera actress or a teacher,” Robinson explained.

Over the years, she’s learned the two fields do have some similarities.

“Education, especially at the kindergarten level, is a lot of acting,” Robinson continued. [It is] a lot of fun, a lot of show and a lot of engagement. Just like you would be on a stage, almost. You know, showing them content and playing with puppets and acting things out.”

That same enthusiasm has carried over to her students.

“My teacher makes some good ideas for us,” said Rolling Green Elementary student Jaxon. “When it’s this day, we go to the library and art. And we love her!”

For a full list of the Rockford area’s Golden Apple Award Winners, click here.

To learn more about the award and the organization, visit the Golden Apple Foundation’s website here.