Jelena Holcomb awarded Golden Apple for her dedication to teaching

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Jelena Holcomb’s Steam Academy classroom was a little more crowded than usual on the day she learned she was the recipient of the 2025 Golden Apple award for teaching.

“My husband wouldn’t really look me in the eye this morning. And he does like that smirky thing, so I had a feeling. I was hopeful, but he didn’t tell me,” she said.

Holcomb said she found her way to the profession in a roundabout way.

“Teaching chose me. I didn’t want to be a teacher. I have so many teachers in my family, and I wanted to do something different. I was a para for a year, and I took over a classroom the next year, and 21 years later, here we are,” she said.

Principal Loree Leathers said of Holcomb, “She works extremely hard every single day. Puts herself out there. Joins any professional development she can. She’s an amazing teacher. Puts her kids first? Absolutely.”